Judge R.R. Denny Clunk 1930-2021

Judge Clunk was born Jan. 15, 1930, in Canton, to Dr. Roy H. Clunk and Marjorie James Clunk.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, whom he married June 9, 1951, in Massillon; four sons, Roy (Lynne) Clunk, Dennis (Kathleen) Clunk, Stephen (Jennifer) Clunk and David (Sandy) Clunk; and son-in law, Rick (Chris) Robenstine, all of Alliance. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; three stepgranddaughters; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Susan Robenstine; stepgrandson, John Shivers; and his sister, Elizabeth Shelt.

Judge Clunk enjoyed his legal career in Alliance of 30 years and his judicial career as a probate judge for more than 30 years. He was very active in Alliance community affairs and believed that volunteer community service was important. He served as president of Alliance Citizens Hospital Association, Alliance Area Youth Center, Alliance City Schools Board of Education, Alliance Country Club, Greater Alliance Development Corp and the Alliance Auto Club. He also served as a director of the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce, Alliance Rotary Club and treasurer of the City of Alliance for eight years. Near and dear to his heart was the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. He served many years on the board of governors of the Epsilon chapter at Mount Union and was inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 2018.

Judge Clunk had a truly distinguished judicial career that began as an acting substitute judge in the Alliance Municipal Court in 1978, and then on July 1, 1985, he was appointed the Stark County Probate Court judge, where he served until his retirement in February 2003. Upon the unexpected death of his successor, Judge Robert Horowitz, in November 2003, he was appointed to again serve as Stark County Probate judge until the appointment of Judge Dixie Park in February 2004. He then continued to serve as a retired assigned Common Pleas Court Judge in some 22 counties until his final assignment as Probate Judge of Mahoning County in 2014.

As a judge, he was recognized as one of America’s leading probate judges, and in 2003, received the prestigious “Trent Award of Excellence” by the National College of Probate Judges. He served as president of the Stark County Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Probate Judges and the National College of Probate Judges. During his tenure as probate judge, he was responsible for the legislation that abolished common law marriages in Ohio and created the punitive father registry to expedite and insure valid adoptions of Ohio’s children.

The judge was most proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and spent many hours attending their athletic and academic activities. He always said that his success as a lawyer and judge was directly related to his loving wife, Jo, who so lovingly took care of their five children and their home.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and served on its Parish Council. He also served 20 years as chairman of the board of trustees of Emmaus Residence for Retired Priests in Louisville and a board member of the House of Loretta in Canton. He received the “Pro Ecclesia ET Pontifical Award” from Pope John Paul II in 2000 and the “Lex Christi Award” from the Diocese of Youngstown in 2006.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Crandall Medical Center and Aultman Alliance Hospice.

The judge was a man who loved his family, his community, his church and the law. He requested that any memorial contributions be made to the University of Mount Union, 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, OH 44601 or to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 427 E. Broadway, Alliance, OH 44601.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Very Rev. Canon Matthew J. Mankowski as celebrant. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Live-streaming of the Mass will be available on the St. Joseph Catholic Church website on Saturday, April 24, 2021, beginning at 9 a.m.: www.stjoseph-alli ance.org.

Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home. You are invited to view Judge Clunk’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories at www.sharerfuneralhome.com.

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