Eleanor McClelland

Eleanor Elizabeth McClelland, age 97, of Mt.Sterling, Illinois passed away at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Heritage Health, Therapy and Senior Care in Mt.Sterling.

She was born June 6, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York the daughter of Joseph Francis and Marion Veronica Tepisosky Smith.  She married Melvin Edgar McClelland on June 13, 1944 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and he preceded her in death on March 9, 2009.  

Mrs. McClelland worked for over 20 years for the U.S.D.A. in Mt. Sterling as a program technician.  Earlier in life she had also worked as census taker and a telephone operator.  She was born a city girl, but she lived most of her life as a farmer’s wife.   

Eleanor graduated from John Adams High School in Ozone Park, New York. 

As a young woman, Eleanor was very athletic and loved to ice skate,  roller skate and play softball and was proud of the fact she once played a game at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling and had also attended the Mt. Sterling First Christian Church for several years.  

Survivors include 2 daughters Linda Colgan (John) of Mt. Sterling and Joyce Surratt (Jay) of Meredosia, Illinois.  5 grandchildren Stephen Colgan (Fiancee, Jackie Mwendwa), Christine Moore (Dan), Greg Harris (Sabrina), Ryan Surratt and Matthew Surratt. 5 great grandchildren Jackson, Oliver, Samuel and Lilah Moore and Damon Harris.  1 brother Richard Smith of Connecticut also survives along with several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 daughter JoAnne Harris, 4 brothers John, Joseph II, Donald and Robert Smith, 1 sister Mildred Lindeman and 1 step brother Francis Mock.

A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 17, 2021 in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling with Father Aaron Kuhn and Deacon Mike Ellerman officiating. 

Burial will follow in the Mt. Sterling City Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.  

Memorials are suggested to the Brown County Public Library or the Holy Family Catholic Church Building Fund.  

Condolences for the family may be left online at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

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