Aryliss "Arkie" DeClerk Obituary

On Monday January 19th, Aryliss Dee Travis DeClerk , affectionately known as “Arkie”, passed from her earthly home. She was born on September 25th 1939 in Wilsey, Kansas, to Frank Alvin and Ilah Francis Travis. Preceding her in death are her husband, Bernard Joseph DeClerk, grandson Kent Zitzelberger, siblings Darrell Travis, Donovan Travis, Barney Travis, Beverly Zipperer, Corliss Arnone, Bonnie Starnes, Fairy Massey and their spouses and numerous other family members.

Arkie was a beloved mom, grandma , and great grandma. She is survived by her children Maria (Steve) Bell, Catherine (Carl) Jarrett, Mary (Ronnie) Zitzelberger, Patricia (Allen) Thielemier, Ben (Misti) DeClerk, Travis (Angie) DeClerk all of Pocahontas and Reagen (Joe) Jacek of Sault Ste Marie, MI. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Andrew (Jamie) Bell, Olivia (Zach) Holloway, Logan Jarrett, Miranda (Nick) Wallace, Dalton ( Stephanie) Jarrett, Luke Zitzelberger, Priscilla (Heath) Mahan, Charlotte Zitzelberger, Taylor (Anthony) Everman, Lee (Laura) Thielemier, Lane (Joe) Jordan, Jessica Anderson, Kelley (Mark) Blackwell, Becky (Nick Degan) DeClerk, Derek (Cami) Passalaqua, Jami (Jagger) McCrary, Zac (Destiny) DeClerk, Rachel (Corey) Obregon, Morgan Skeet, Lauren Edwards, and Alex Jacek.

She also leaves behind 8 great granddaughters and 18 great grandsons and one on the way. Arkie felt so blessed and was proud of her large loving family.

Arkie attended Saint Paul Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic minister and longtime member of the choir and Good Neighbor Committee. Arkie also participated in Eucharistic adoration. She was famous for her baked goods and generously donated them to various fund raisers. She also assisted Doni Martin in planning and establishing the Community School for Exceptional Children, now named The Doni Martin Center, where she worked as teacher’s assistant. She later worked as a manager for Brad Group Home. She instilled a love of children and education to her own children and grandchildren, several of whom now work in various forms of education. Arkie was also very passionate about exercise and healthy eating. She impressed this upon her children and grandchildren and influenced career choices in these areas as well. Gardening was one of her favorite pastimes in addition to camping, cooking, sewing, quilting, crafts and most of all loving her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. Arkie ran circles around just about everyone with her boundless energy!

Arkie and her family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Randolph County Nursing Home. Their love, respect, tireless care and compassion as well as hospitality are greatly appreciated.

Visitation will be held at McNabb Funeral Home on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 5-7 pm with a rosary following. The funeral will be Friday January 23 at 11:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pocahontas. Pallbearers are her grandsons: Andrew Bell, Logan Jarrett, Dalton Jarrett, Luke Zitzelberger, Lee Thielemier, Zac DeClerk and Alex Jacek.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church or Saint Paul Catholic School.