Lawrence Howard McClarren passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in his home in Winameg on March 11, 2019.
Lawrence was born on March 16, 1925. He was the eldest son of Bruce K. and Catherine (Evers) McClarren. He and Ilene Crile were married on June 28, 1947. They were blessed with three children: Jill, Jared and Judd.
Lawrence resided in Winameg his entire life where he worked on the family farm. He was a graduate of Wauseon High School. He served as a 4-H advisor and was in leadership in the Fulton County Cattle Feeders, Aetna Grange, the Fulton County Farm Bureau and the Fulton County Historical Society. He received the American Farmer degree and was honored as an inductee of the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
He was a committed Christian and a lifelong member of the Wauseon Congregational United Church of Christ. He was an avid supporter of Growing Hope Globally, (previously known as Food Resources Bank).
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Ilene, in 2009. Surviving are children, Jill (Rex) Oyer, Jared (Anne) McClarren and Judd (Rebecca) McClarren. Grandchildren and their families include: Jamie (Michael) Morris and Leigh and Marcella; Jared (Kylee) Oyer and Riley, Ellie and Phoebe; Jana (Derek) Friess and Kate, Natalie and Emric; Jenna (Ryan) O’Dell and Landon and Sidney; Jera (Toby) Shehorn and Brody and Evie; Jessica (Jordan) Richer and Mack, Luke and Gavin; Hannah (Matt) Arnos and Elsie, Annabelle and Hazel; Caleb (Kari) McClarren and Asher, Ezekiel and Shalom and Isaac (Melinda) McClarren and Taya and Rhett. He is also survived by siblings Isabelle LeBeau, Carol (Ira) Robinette and Benson (Julia) McClarren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Lawrence will be from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Wauseon. A family burial service will be held in Winameg on Saturday morning. Friends and neighbors are invited to join in a celebratory worship service at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 in the church. Cake and ice cream in honor of Lawrence’s 94th birthday will be served after the time of worship.
The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Growing Hope Globally (Formerly FRB), Soddo Christian Hospital in Ethiopia or the Congregational United Church of Christ.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon has been entrusted with arrangements.