Jack Clymer McClenahan, 95, of Centre Hall, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011, surrounded by his family, at Centre Crest in Bellefonte. During his time at Centre Crest, Jack received compassionate, superb care; and made many friends among residents and staff.
He was born January 26, 1916 at Centre Hall; a son of the late Harry and Vergie Kreitzer McClenahan.
August 14, 1937, he married Freda N. Burkholder who preceded him in death February 22, 2003.
Jack graduated from Centre Hall – Potter High School in 1934, where he excelled in soccer for the “Centre Hall Tigers.” Following graduation, he organized the annual class reunions for many years until recently when he was no longer able to function in that role.
Early in life he worked on the family farm. During World War II, Jack worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a fireman for steam engines and qualified as an engineer. He made countless trips from Altoona to Enola transporting troops and items needed for the war. Having gained extensive knowledge of the rail industry and various types of locomotives, railroading became a passion to him. However, he was needed on the family farm, and wanted to spend more time with his family, so he decided to give up his railroading career. Coming back to the family farm, Mr. McClenahan developed a high quality Holstein dairy herd, and was involved in dairy farming for many years. A person with a strong work ethic, after retiring from the farm, he worked for several years delivering supplies for Automotive Supply.
Mr. McClenahan was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Centre Hall where he was a Sunday School teacher and served many terms on the church council including having served as past president. He was a charter member of the board of directors at Penns Valley Area Medical Center. He was also a member of Dairyman’s League. He enjoyed working with the Centre Hall – Potter Food and Fuel Bank, where he could be found helping to unload trucks at age ninety.
A constant seeker of knowledge, Jack was an avid reader. Fishing, especially fishing for Shad in Delaware, was a true pleasure for Jack. He was honored as a Centre County Hall of Fame Voter, in recognition of his having voted in every election since 1948. In Pennsylvania, he voted in every election from the time he was eligible.
Surviving Jack are two daughters, Linda A. Decker Reitz and her husband the Reverend Leroy Reitz of Spring Mills and Kathy Kapinus and her husband Bob of Centre Hall; one son Jack B. McClenahan and his wife Dixie Lee of Lyndhurst, VA; nine grandchildren, Mitch McClenahan, Laura Hall, Paula Figgatt, Susan Floyd, Lisa Vavrick, Robert S. Decker, Sarah Fisher, Nick Kapinus and Jake Kapinus; eighteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and two brothers, William McClenahan and his wife Evelyn and Harry McClenahan Jr. and his wife Alice all of Centre Hall.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by four sisters; and a son in law Robert E. Decker.
Friends will be received from 2 – 4 p. m. Sunday June 5, 2011, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall. The funeral will be at 10:30 a. m. Monday, June 6, at the church, with the Reverend Scott A. Klimke officiating. Burial will be in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery in Centre Hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 331, Centre Hall, PA 16828
An on line guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.