Howard M. McClure (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Howard Marion McClure, son of Sheldon Carlyle and Alice Smith McClure, was born August 10, 1931, near Oskaloosa, Iowa. He departed this life Friday, September 30, 2011, in St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty years, one month, and twenty days.
On March 18, 1950, he was united in marriage to Anita Ruth Wilkens, and to this union two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-granddaughter, Victoria McClure; and a sister, Elaine Cummings.
Howard is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Anita, of the home; two sons, Michael B. McClure, and his wife, Glenda, of Pittsburg, California, and Patrick A. McClure, of Morrisville, Missouri; six grandchildren, P. J. McClure, and his wife, Tammy, Jason McClure, and his wife, Kara, Luke McClure, and his wife, Kahla, Caleb McClure, Christina McClure, and Shelly Shuler, and her husband, Mark; eleven great-grandchildren; a brother, James McClure, and his wife, Dorislee, of Lynchburg, Missouri; a sister, Mildred Grife, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Iowa, and then moved with his family to East Moline, Illinois, when he was twelve years old. He graduated from high school and then served in the United States Army and stayed stateside during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he and Anita made their home in Missouri, and purchased a farm near Lynchburg. In addition to operating his farm, Howard was also President of Laclede Mutual Insurance in Lebanon for several years.
Howard had attended Mount Carney Christian Church.
He had served as Adjutant General of the Lewis-Gorrell American Legion Post # 470 of Plato, Missouri. He was a fan of all sports, but particularly liked playing golf. He enjoyed traveling and had visited forty-nine of the fifty United States. He also was an avid reader and liked working crossword puzzles. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Howard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated businessman, a patriotic citizen, and a good friend.
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