Ward Mcclellan, Jr

Ward McClellan Jr., son of Ward Sr. and Mildred Jesse (Padelford) McClellan was born on March 10, 1930 in Nevada, Iowa. Ward graduated from Bayard High School in 1947. He joined the United States Navy in 1950 and served during the Korean War. On August 12, 1956 Ward married Gayle Jean Shoesmith at the Fairview Church south of Stuart. They farmed and raised their children on the family farm east of Bayard. They became the proud parents of Debbie, Patricia, Mike and Scott. During their 56 years of marriage, they enjoyed various trips with family and friends. Ward also enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting guns, stamps, coins, bowling, traveling playing cards and cribbage. He was a loving and devoted husband and father to his wife and children and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, other family and friends. Ward was a member of the American Legion, United Methodist Church in Bayard, past member of the Lions Club and served as a board member of the farmer's coop. Ward passed away April 13, 2012 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Gayle of Bayard; daughters: Debbie and husband Steve Pope of Des Moines and Patricia and husband David Bognanno of Overland Park, Kansas; sons: Mike McClellan and wife Teresa of Bayard and Scott McClellan and wife Teresa of Bayard; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister Anna Moylan of Omaha; brothers-in-law Richard Shoesmith and Helen Ann of Stuart amd Donnie Shoesmith and wife Debbie of Dexter; sister-in-law Jerry Kirfman and husband Cliff of Richmond Hills, Texas. Ward also leaves behind many friends and family and he will be greatly missed. Officiating PASTOR CHARLENE WOLF Music "PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND" "AMAZING GRACE" JESSICA MCCLELLAN, VOCALIST "GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN" VINCE GILL, RECORDING MARTHA WOLFE, ACCOMPANIST RECORDING "SO GOD MADE A FARMER" PAUL HARVEY Honorary Casket Bearers CLIFF KIRFMAN RICHARD SHOESMITH DONNIE SHOESMITH WAYNE BROWN TIM HILGENBERG JOHN SHIRBROUN WAYNE HALTERMAN JACK TUEL SAUL SAILER DONNIE MCCLELLAN Casket Bearers STEPHANIE HOEPPNER JAMES POPE SARA BOGNANNO CHRISTIAN BOGNANNO CHRISTOPHER MCCLELLAN JORDAN MCCLELLAN JESSICA MCCLELLAN AUSTIN MCCLELLAN ANDREW MCCLELLAN ALEX MCCLELLAN Military Honors AMERICAN LEGION, BRYAN MERCER POST 44