Alfred W. McClelland, 89, of Allegan went to be with his Lord on Dec. 28, 2018. Born outside of Arlington, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1929, son of the late Clay McClelland and Beula (Koder) and Orrie Newman.
Al was raised in Ohio along with his sister, Mary Gail, and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1947, and then graduated from Toledo University with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1952.
Al told many stories of his days working on the railroad during the summers between college semesters. He was then called to serve in the United States Army during the Korean war. After his honorable discharge, he secured a position at Merck in Whitehouse Station, N.J., where he met Grace Tanzi who became his bride on Sept. 14, 1957.
Al spent most of his life raising six children, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He and Grace traveled quite extensively and enjoyed life together with their family until Grace’s death in July of 2012.
Al was a wonderful husband and father, he loved spending time with his family, enjoyed softball, basketball, golf, fishing, reading books and attending many school and sporting events.
He truly enjoyed his career in the pharmaceutical industry, including his tenure at Merck, Miles Laboratories and at Perrigo Company where he eventually retired from in 1996.
He also was a member of the Elks Lodge and Knights of Columbus.
Al is survived by his six children, Bob McClelland, Jim (Anna) McClelland, Pat (Jana) McClelland, Joanne (Mike) Heggen, Peggy (Scott) Milbocker, and John (Maulin) McClelland; 10 grandchildren; three great-granddaughters; three sisters-in-law, Mary Basarab, Lois Tanzi, and Pat Tanzi; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Grace; his son Thomas Allen McClelland; parents, Clay McClelland and Beula and Orrie Newman; one sister Mary Gail (McClelland) Figgins; six brothers-in-law, Lou Tanzi, Harry Tanzi, Frank Tanzi, Matt Lutz, Mike Basarab and John “Mickey” Tanzi; and one sister-in-law Ann Lutz.
Cremation has taken place with internment in the Blessed Sacrament Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wings of Hope Hospice, Wings Home or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
A very special thank you to the staff at Briarwood Assisted Living for taking excellent care of Al these last four years.
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