David E. Clare
David E. Clare, Age 65, of Plum City, passed away on Sunday, June 26th, 2022 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire after a long battle with COPD.
He was born on October 14th, 1956 to Eugene and Arvilla (Bradshaw) Clare at the hospital in Plum City. He grew up on his family farm just outside of Plum City and graduated from Plum City High School in 1975. Dave always had a passion for fixing things and moved on to attain a degree in mechanics from the Technical College in Red Wing, MN. After attaining his degree he had several jobs including driving truck across the country and various mechanic jobs. In 1984, Dave teamed up with VonHoltum Farms and created Valley Repair. He also took a job as a bus driver for the School District of Plum City in 2014. Dave ran Valley Repair for 36 years until 2020 when his health forced him to retire.
Dave was a quiet man with a witty sense of humor. He had several passions in life, a big one was fishing. He was a semi pro bass fisher and was part of the Red Cedar Bass Masters Club. He also participated in several fishing tournaments helping kids learn to fish. Hunting was a huge passion of Dave’s and he loved doing it with his family. He always looked forward to pool league every week where he spent a lot of time with his friends. In 2015, Dave and his son, Eric, started building a Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 pulling truck called Never-N-Nuff. He loved attending many western Wisconsin pulling events. In his spare time he loved going for rides in his side by side with his dog, Geno, who was his buddy.
Dave is survived by his children, Jamie Melstrom Freese (fiancé Toby Rivord) of River Falls, Eric Clare (Kayla Zich) of Maiden Rock and Tristan Clare (Sara Italiano) of Oshkosh; two grandchildren, Nash and Landry; siblings, Cathy Bowers of Hayward, Tim (Rhonda) Clare of Hayward, and MaryBeth Lind (Terry Hogan) of Hayward; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He is preceeded in death by his parents, Eugene and Arvilla; nephew, Sean Lind and niece, Stacia Weidenborner.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 30th, 2022. It will be at Clare Repair – W1442 County Road S, Plum City, WI 54761.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.
Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.
