Melvin Edgar McClelland

1918 - 2009

Melvin Edgar McClelland, 90, of Mount Sterling, passed away Monday morning, March 9, 2009, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Mount Sterling.

He was born Aug. 17, 1918, in Schuyler County, the son of Edgar and Ethel Agans McClelland. He married Eleanor Smith on June 13, 1944, at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, and she survives.

Mr. McClelland was a farmer and was known as someone who loved trying new and innovative farming techniques. He had also worked for Western Auto in Peoria, sold cars for McGurk Ford in Mount Sterling and was a feed salesman for Murphy Feed Co.

Melvin attended Liberty School in Brown County and graduated from Mount Sterling High School. He then attended Gem City Business College in Quincy.

Mr. McClelland was a veteran of World War II having served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. While in the Air Corps, Melvin worked as a mechanic on B-29 aircraft while stationed at Saipan in the South Pacific.

Mr. McClelland was a member of the First Christian Church of Mount Sterling where he served as Deacon. He was also a member of the Timewell American Legion Post 1059 and the Brown County Farm Bureau.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor McClelland of Mount Sterling; two daughters, Linda Colgan and her husband John of Mount Sterling and Joyce Surratt and her husband Jay of Meredosia; five grandchildren, Steve Colgan and his wife Liz of Cambria, Christine Moore and her husband Dan of Quincy, Greg Harris and his wife Sabrina of Philadelphia, Pa., Ryan Surratt of Meredosia and Matthew Surratt of Quincy. Two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Oliver Moore, both of Quincy also survive along with one sister, Verna Fraasa of Macomb.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one daughter, JoAnne Harris.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hendricker Funeral Home in Mount Sterling, with the Rev. Lee Reffett officiating. Burial will be at Mount Sterling City Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside. Friends may call any time after 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the family meeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Friends may also call from 8 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice or the First Christian Church of Mount Sterling. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.hendrickerfh.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mount Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.