Journalist, columnist and historian Dave Clarke has been named the 2024 Outstanding Citizen by the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce.
Clarke was nominated for his numerous contributions to the city of Kewanee, including his work in radio and his decades-long career as a reporter and columnist for the Star Courier where he entertained and informed Kewanee readers. In addition to those accomplishments, Clarke has immersed himself in Kewanee history has shared that knowledge with his fans.
Mike Berry, publisher of The Kewanee Voice, applauded the choice.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition,” said Berry, who worked with Clarke for many years at the Star Courier.
Clarke first became known to the community as a reporter for WKEI Radio, and we eventually were fortunate to hire him at the Star Courier,” Berry said, adding that Clarke’s extensive knowledge of Kewanee and its history made him a top-notch writer and reporter.
“But he will be best remembered by many Star Courier readers for his biweekly ‘Around town’ column, which delved into local history and offered in-depth looks at local affairs,” said Berry.
Clarke grew up on a farm south of Kewanee and graduated in 1967. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in geography from Western Illinois University.
But his foray into radio broadcasting occurred earlier when as a junior in high school, he worked as a part-time announcer at WKEI radio. He continued with that summer job throughout college.
In 1974, Clarke became the news director at WKEI AM/WJRE FM, but in 1978 he made the move to print journalism and started covering news and selling ads in Galva for the Star Courier.
In 1981, he took a job as editor of the Galva News, before returning to the Star Courier as Regional Editor. It was at that time, Clarke launched his well-known column “Around Town.”
In 2017, Clarke retired from the Star Courier and the next year became the co-host of “Kewanee Back When,” a half-hour monthly program on local history on WKEI.
In 2018-22, he returned to work as a part-time correspondent for the Star Courier under Editor Mike Helenthal, and since that time has continued to inform and educate the public as a part-time reporter for The Kewanee Voice.
Over the years, Clarke has been involved with multiple organizations including acting as president for the Frank H. Craig Wethersfield Alumni Association and the Saxon Cemetery Association.
He is a charter member of the Wethersfield FFA Alumni, a member of the Kewanee Historical Society and on the property management committee for the Black Hawk College East Foundation.
Clarke’s honors include the Paul Harris Fellow for the Kewanee Rotary Club, of which he was a former member; Honorary State FFA Degree from the Illinois FFA; the first recipient for the Friend of Black Hawk East Agri-Business Club Alumni; Friend of the Industry for the Henry County Beef Association; Community Builder Award for the Kewanee Masonic Lodge 150 and an inductee into the Wethersfield Academic Hall of Fame in 2017.
Clarke is well-known for his past work with the Miss Henry County Fair Pageant as a photographer, chaperone and emcee. He also traveled with and dispatched new releases for the Kewanee Black Knights Junior Drum and Bugle Corps that included trips to national contests in Miami, Dallas and Boston from 1969-1972.
Clarke has been recognized by several community organizations for his news coverage including the Step Ladder Tutoring Program, the Kewanee Animal Shelter and the Kewanee FFA. He was a past member of the LaFayette United Methodist Church where he served as a lay leader, lay speaker and administrative board chairman, as well as a junior high Sunday school teacher and Youth Group leader.
Clarke joins past winners of the KCOC Outstanding Citizen award such as Phil Good, James Golby, Robert and Marcella Richards, Larry Lock and Bud Johnson.
An official award ceremony honoring Clarke will be held at a later date.
