Locations
StaffLife Story Funeral Director / Manager
jodiclock@lifestorynet.com
Jodi Clock knew it was time to re-prioritize her life.
She had spent the last 15 years traveling for her position of training and sales within the funeral industry, but when she spent 42 out of 52 weeks with more time waiting in an airport, rather than interfacing with her family or the customers, she could just feel the adverse affect it was having on her.
"I was getting burned out," Jodi recalls. "I knew it was time to practice what I preached, and take control of my personal and professional life."
So she did.
Jodi went to work with Clock Funeral Homes, a move that took care of both sides of her spectrum, professionally and personally. Having known Dale Clock for years through the funeral industry circles, the two finally became partners in business and life, and were married.
"I contracted with Clock Funeral Home. Dale, my personal, and professional life intertwined. The rest is history," Jodi recalls.
But the two had plenty of history between them before getting married. Jodi had known Dale since 1988, when he was a client of hers while with Forethought, working in pre-need insurance sales.
Then in 2003, "both of our lives on a personal level fell apart," Jodi says. "Our paths re-crossed at a convention, and now we're partners in business - and more importantly - life."
Today, Jodi serves as Director of Advance Funeral Planning and Transitional Care at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes, as well as President of Clock Timeless Pets, positions she was almost born to do.
Jodi was born the youngest of three daughters in Minneapolis, Minn., yet was primarily raised in Batesville, Ind., the hometown of the Batesville Casket Co., where her dad, Charles Perkins, was busy climbing the corporate ladder. Jodi's sisters were much older, Sharon by 14 years and Joanie 22 years her senior, so Jodi was raised almost as an only child. She filled her days the way most happy young girls do, playing in the pool for hours, ice skating, or just playing outside with friends. Eventually, the Perkins household moved up to Battle Creek, Mich., where Jodi graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview High School in 1979, where she was involved in just about everything. Cheerleading, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, diving, theater ... you name it. She was interested in everything.
After graduating, Jodi earned Associate's degrees from Kellogg Community College. She attended Western Michigan, then finished her undergrad degree at Spring Arbor University. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University, as well. Then it was time to find her place in the world.
Yet despite her father's success with Batesville, Jodi's interests and skills seemed to be in the insurance and data processing fields. Jodi actually started out as an actuarial student. ("Go figure," she quips). Her actuarial skills led her to apply for a position with a Batesville subsidiary, Forethought. While she didn't get that position, she did impress enough to earn a spot working with funeral directors and training them about pre-need insurance. One of those funeral directors was - you guessed it - Dale Clock.
Her life and her career now full-circle, Jodi has channeled her passion into helping people cope with their grief. Having lost both of her parents when she was a young age (her mother at 22, her father six years later), she understands the importance of the healing process - which she says is different for everyone.
"No two families are alike," Jodi says. "I believe people don't want to be told how to grieve, that it's a very personal thing. I believe that they want a safe place to begin their journey and tell their story and that is one of the many things we can do. Sometimes they just need permission."
Jodi doesn't need permission to enjoy her life today. After years of tumult, travel and tribulation, she has finally found a healthy balance in her personal and professional life. Today she enjoys her rewarding work with Clock Life Story Funeral Homes, as well as her life with new husband Dale. The two reside in Muskegon, with Dale's daughter Kellie, their dogs Max (a sheltie) and Mac (a Corgie), and cats Bonnie (a gray and white tiger) and Tink (a flame point Siamese). Jodi's son, Brett Wright, is a senior at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
While they spend most of their time in Muskegon, the Clocks love to escape to their cottage in South Haven (or "South Heaven" as Jodi calls it). There they love to walk the beach or downtown, going golfing or out to dinner. "We work and play together and there never is enough hours in the day to do the things we like to do," Jodi says.
But for a woman as energetic, determined and focused as Jodi (as well as "high-strung, when it's time to work," she says), there never would be enough hours in the day. She works tirelessly to help people ease the pain of grieving, something she is exceptionally good at through the Life Story Network.
"People expect the highest level of professionalism from us," Jodi says. "They want to know that everything is taken care of and it reflects their loved one, not the 'cookie-cutter funeral.' Each of our funerals reflects the life lived. They're meaningful and relevant."
Just like Jodi.
She had spent the last 15 years traveling for her position of training and sales within the funeral industry, but when she spent 42 out of 52 weeks with more time waiting in an airport, rather than interfacing with her family or the customers, she could just feel the adverse affect it was having on her.
"I was getting burned out," Jodi recalls. "I knew it was time to practice what I preached, and take control of my personal and professional life."
So she did.
Jodi went to work with Clock Funeral Homes, a move that took care of both sides of her spectrum, professionally and personally. Having known Dale Clock for years through the funeral industry circles, the two finally became partners in business and life, and were married.
"I contracted with Clock Funeral Home. Dale, my personal, and professional life intertwined. The rest is history," Jodi recalls.
But the two had plenty of history between them before getting married. Jodi had known Dale since 1988, when he was a client of hers while with Forethought, working in pre-need insurance sales.
Then in 2003, "both of our lives on a personal level fell apart," Jodi says. "Our paths re-crossed at a convention, and now we're partners in business - and more importantly - life."
Today, Jodi serves as Director of Advance Funeral Planning and Transitional Care at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes, as well as President of Clock Timeless Pets, positions she was almost born to do.
Jodi was born the youngest of three daughters in Minneapolis, Minn., yet was primarily raised in Batesville, Ind., the hometown of the Batesville Casket Co., where her dad, Charles Perkins, was busy climbing the corporate ladder. Jodi's sisters were much older, Sharon by 14 years and Joanie 22 years her senior, so Jodi was raised almost as an only child. She filled her days the way most happy young girls do, playing in the pool for hours, ice skating, or just playing outside with friends. Eventually, the Perkins household moved up to Battle Creek, Mich., where Jodi graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview High School in 1979, where she was involved in just about everything. Cheerleading, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, diving, theater ... you name it. She was interested in everything.
After graduating, Jodi earned Associate's degrees from Kellogg Community College. She attended Western Michigan, then finished her undergrad degree at Spring Arbor University. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University, as well. Then it was time to find her place in the world.
Yet despite her father's success with Batesville, Jodi's interests and skills seemed to be in the insurance and data processing fields. Jodi actually started out as an actuarial student. ("Go figure," she quips). Her actuarial skills led her to apply for a position with a Batesville subsidiary, Forethought. While she didn't get that position, she did impress enough to earn a spot working with funeral directors and training them about pre-need insurance. One of those funeral directors was - you guessed it - Dale Clock.
Her life and her career now full-circle, Jodi has channeled her passion into helping people cope with their grief. Having lost both of her parents when she was a young age (her mother at 22, her father six years later), she understands the importance of the healing process - which she says is different for everyone.
"No two families are alike," Jodi says. "I believe people don't want to be told how to grieve, that it's a very personal thing. I believe that they want a safe place to begin their journey and tell their story and that is one of the many things we can do. Sometimes they just need permission."
Jodi doesn't need permission to enjoy her life today. After years of tumult, travel and tribulation, she has finally found a healthy balance in her personal and professional life. Today she enjoys her rewarding work with Clock Life Story Funeral Homes, as well as her life with new husband Dale. The two reside in Muskegon, with Dale's daughter Kellie, their dogs Max (a sheltie) and Mac (a Corgie), and cats Bonnie (a gray and white tiger) and Tink (a flame point Siamese). Jodi's son, Brett Wright, is a senior at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
While they spend most of their time in Muskegon, the Clocks love to escape to their cottage in South Haven (or "South Heaven" as Jodi calls it). There they love to walk the beach or downtown, going golfing or out to dinner. "We work and play together and there never is enough hours in the day to do the things we like to do," Jodi says.
But for a woman as energetic, determined and focused as Jodi (as well as "high-strung, when it's time to work," she says), there never would be enough hours in the day. She works tirelessly to help people ease the pain of grieving, something she is exceptionally good at through the Life Story Network.
"People expect the highest level of professionalism from us," Jodi says. "They want to know that everything is taken care of and it reflects their loved one, not the 'cookie-cutter funeral.' Each of our funerals reflects the life lived. They're meaningful and relevant."
Just like Jodi.
