Melvin Edgar McClelland

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. -- Melvin Edgar McClelland, 90, of Mount Sterling, died at 10:44 a.m. Monday (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 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 Company. 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 United States Army Air Corps enlisting in 1941. He attained the rank of staff sergeant. While in the Air Corps, Melvin, worked as a proper specialist on B-29 aircraft while stationed at Saipan in the South Pacific. He earned the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal, Victory Medal and the Good Conduct. He was discharged in 1945. 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 No. 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, and one sister, Verna Fraasa of Macomb. He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, JoAnne Harris. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mount Sterling with Rev. Lee Reffett officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Sterling City Cemetery. Military services will be conducted at the graveside. VISITATION: 3-7 p.m. Friday with the family present from 5-7 p.m. in the funeral home. Friends may also call Saturday from 8 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice or the First Christian Church of Mount Sterling. ARRANGEMENTS: Hendricker Funeral Home, Mount Sterling. WEB SITE: www.hendrickerfh.com. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.