Ralph Russell McClellan, age 95, of Butler, Indiana, died at 5:45 P.M. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at Laurels of DeKalb, in Butler, where he was a resident after two-weeks in Community Memorial Hospital in Hicksville, Ohio. Prior to that, he was a resident at Dream Haven, in Edgerton, Ohio, for six years. Ralph Russell McClellan was born on September 29, 1918, on a farm near Butler, Indiana, in DeKalb County, the son of Ralph and Wanda (Enterline) McClellan, where he lived for almost ninety years. He attended Tamarack School through the eighth grade and then attended Hamilton (Indiana) High School, graduating in 1937. With his father, he farmed the family farm, with the exception of during World War II when he worked at the Magnavox Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A fan of the Indy 500, he attended the races for fifty years. He also enjoyed roller skating at Circle Park on Hamilton Lake, Indiana, and also spent a lot of time bowling. Attending Zion Church near his home, he had a perfect attendance record for over ten years. He was baptized on July 7, 2010, by Pastor Jack Smith, then pastor of the Butler Zion United Methodist Church. Russell was a good neighbor and friend to all and was a member of the Eagles in Butler.
Survivors include one sister, Betty Lundy, of Port Hueneme, California, one niece, Darlene (Ron) Martin, of Ojai, California, two nephews, Gary (Sue) Kepler, of Hudson, Ohio, and Orrin (Patricia) Lundy, of Washougal, Washington. Also surviving are several great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, one sister and brother-in-law, Blance and Carlton Kepler, and a brother-in-law, John Lundy.
Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton. A memorial service will be held later when weather permits.
Memorials are requested to Dream Haven in Edgerton.