Barbara Jane Nelson McClellan, 75, of Stevensville, MI and formerly of Munson, died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013 at her residence.
She was the daughter of the late David W. and Selma M. (Nowak) Nelson born Aug. 7, 1938 in Philipsburg.
She married Andrew J. “Jack” McClellan on Nov. 30, 1957 at the Morrisdale United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death Feb. 26, 2006.
She was a member of the Gethsemane United Methodist Church, Allport, where she also worked as church secretary. She was an active church member, serving as lay minister and a member of the United Methodist Women. She had established the advent luncheons and worship service for area churches.
After moving to Stevensville in 2012, she became active in the Stevensville United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Rebekah Assembly, Aster Rebekah Lodge #177 of the I.O.O.F. She’d served as Rebekah District Deputy and was a member of the District Deputy Association. She was awarded the “Decoration of Chivalry” because of her commitment to the organization and her involvement in the community.
She held various state offices for the Rebekah Lodge, serving as state president for the Rebekah Assembly, I.O.O.F. from 1987-1988. While president she enjoyed her many adventures touring the state and visiting local lodges accompanied by her sister, Dorothy “DJ” Domblisky, sister-in-law, Fran Orwick and family friend, Ava Domblisky. She’d chaperoned the United Nations tour for state youth that was sponsored by the Rebekah Association.
She’d served on the election board for local, state and federal elections. She enjoyed sewing, baking, gardening, reading and hearing her grandchildren play taps at sunset along Weko Beach of Lake Michigan in Bridgman, MI.
In addition to working as a secretary at Gethsemane United Methodist Church, she’d also worked in the administrative staff with Munson Tours. She was a 1956 graduate of the Philipsburg High School.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Jean Domblisky and a brother, Joseph Nelson. She was the last of her generation.
She’s survived by a daughter, Kathy Marie (McClellan) Sankey and her husband, Jeffrey of Buchanan, MI and a son, Captain Scott McClellan and his wife, Lisa of San Diego, Calif. She’s also survived by four grandchildren, Kyle, Lydia, Nicole and Michael and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Allport, with the Rev. Heather M. Baker-McAllister officiating. Burial will be at the Allport Cemetery, Allport.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home in Philipsburg and from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Monday at the church
A Rebekah Assembly memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home
Memorial contributions may be made to: Marie Yeager Cancer Center, Lakeland Health Park, 3900 Hollywood Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085 or to the Gethsemane United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 185, Allport, PA 16821.
Friends may sign the guestbook at: beezerheathfh.com.
