Michael J. "Mike" McClaren, 43, of Grand Island died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, as the result of an accident near Sterling, Colo.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Evangelical Free Church, 2609 S. Blaine St. The Rev. Gary Schulte will officiate. Cremation will take place following the service with his ashes buried in the Grand Island Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at All Faiths Funeral Home. There will be a Catholic rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday also at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski leading.
Mr. McClaren was born July 8, 1965, at Omaha. He was adopted as an infant by James and Margaret (Malone) McClaren.
Survivors of the immediate family his wife, Shanda; two sons, Chase and Tanner, both living at home; his mother, Margaret McClaren of Grand Island; and a sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Larry Hicks of Creston, Iowa.
Other survivors are his biological mother, Carla Beardmore-Harding of Omaha; biological brother, Christian Harding of Scottsdale, Ariz., and biological sister, Maria Harding of Omaha; his wife's parents, Sandy and William Lawrey of Grand Island and Robert and Ruth Wobig of Gering; brother-in-law and his wife, Aaron and Tammie Wobig of Grand Island; brother-in-law, Bill Lawrey, Jr. of Grand Island; sisters-in-law, Sara and Katie Wobig of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Josh Wobig of Gillette, Wyo.; uncle and aunt, Frank and Roselee Siegler of Minnesota and cousins, Chris Siegler, Susan Siegler, William Siegler, Margaret Mills and Mary Siegler.
His father, James McClaren preceded him in death.
Mike was raised in Grand Island, where he graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1983. He then graduated from Chadron State College in 1987. Mike was a two time state champion wrestler for Central Catholic. He also wrestled at Chadron State and ran track and cross country.
He was united in marriage to Shanda Wobig on Dec. 13, 1991. He owned and operated M&S Flooring. Mike loved to run, bicycle, woodwork, he was an avid photographer and had a real talent for art. Mike helped coach wrestling at Northwest High School, Barr Middle School and Grand Island Senior High. He was very active in his sons' activities. He was their "greatest fan".
Because Mike was a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy, everyone is invited to wear Islander/Central Catholic attire to the service.
Mike was a friend to everyone he met. His love for life and those around him will be cherished forever.
Memorials are suggested to a college fund for Chase and Tanner.
Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com .
Sign the guestbook at theindependent.com/obits.
This obituary was originally published in The Grand Island Independent.
To the McClaren Family,
I'm saddened to hear about the death of Mike. A friend informed me this morning. I wrestled Mike in college when I competed for Kearney and he was tough. Definitely a great competitor. I think we split a couple of tough matches. He obviously has a great family and I hope the memories help heal. It really makes a person think about things. God bless.
Dick Thomas
August 14, 2009 | Windsor, CO
To the McClaren Family:
Please accept my deepest sympathies. I was shocked to hear the news about Mike in the C.S.C. Alumni newsletter today. I had some classes with Mike and was on the wrestling team at Chadron with him. I remember watching him win two state titles in high school. Seeing him win the Cowboy Open at the University of Wyoming was another fond memory of Mike. He beat some of the better wrestlers in the nation that year and was tough to beat when he was wrestling to...
Darrell Bullington
August 08, 2009 | Kemmerer, WY
To the Mike McClaren Family
I give you my deepest condolances. I met Mike at Chadron State in '84. Mike and I were team mates and frinds in college and I would always ask a former room mate of his how he was doing. I have wanted to talk with Mike over the years and never did make the time.
Mike was someone that was always there for people. If I needed someone to run with for training or to lose weight he was there. If I needed someone to do weight training or practice moves...
Lee Taylor
July 06, 2009 | Gibbon, MN
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your family. God Bless.
Nanette Redman
July 05, 2009 | Grand Island, NE
Shanda, Chase and Tanner,
Take comfort in knowing that you now have a guardian angle to watch over you every day!
We will remember Mike at the Team GI wrestling meets and at Barr Middle School track meets. He was always so involved with you boys and you could tell how much he loved you both.
We are the grandparents of Shayla and Austin Steinwart and Mike's smile always stood out and how excited he always was over whatever the boys were involved in at the...
Del and Jackie Steinwart
June 30, 2009 | Grand Island, NE
Shanda and family,
My heart was broken when mom called and told me about your husband's passing. I never met Mike, but Shanda you were always such a dear friend to me in junior high and high school. After reading this board, it is apparent that you married a truly wonderful man who was loved by many. In time, the memories of the life you shared will bring you joy again. Until that time comes, please rely on your faith and the strength of those who love you to help you through...
Kem Thombs (Hammeren)
June 30, 2009 | Raleigh, NC
Shanda and boys,
Years ago I followed my nephew Lane Sanford from Adams Central High School on his wrestling road. I watched Mike wrestle several times and Lane said he was always a gentlemen and a very first class person to be around. The boys can be proud. So sorry for your
loss.
Colleen Kucera
June 29, 2009 | Deweese, NE
Shanda, Chase and Tanner, we are so very sorry to hear about Mike. I know how much he meant to so many people and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Cindy (Eversoll) Wadzinski
June 29, 2009 | Omaha, NE
Shanda, Chase and Tanner,
We are so sorry to hear about Mike. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Carole Evans
June 29, 2009 | Grand Island, NE
