Ethelyne McClellan Obituary

Ethelyne "Kathy" McClellan, age 80, passed away Monday evening, July 28, 2025, at McLaren hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born on January 16, 1945, in Ironwood, Michigan to the late Archie and Irma (Peterson) Barron.

She moved from Ironwood, Michigan to Cedar Lake, Michigan to attend the Seventh Day Adventist Academy, where she met her husband, Harry McClellan, II. While raising four children and being a very involved grandmother, she worked as a medical biller for 42 years, retiring only when she learned she had cancer in 2012.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Harry McClellan I; her eldest son, Harry McClellan II; her eldest grandchild, Shaunna Marie Burke; her great-granddaughter Avery Rose Hall, her eldest brother, Dennis "Scotty" Barron, and her brother-in-law, Dan McClellan, Sr.

She lived and breathed music: playing the clarinet in school, singing in duets and trios in church, singing harmony and playing piano with family, and listening to an endless supply of country and gospel. She also loved her large family, spending a copious amount of time caring for them and spending time with them enjoying birdwatching, gardening, cooking, camping, swimming, and crafting.

Kathy is survived by her children Ric (Lisa) McClellan, Lorrie Spencer, and Larry (Michelle) McClellan; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her brothers Albert Barron and Art (Stevie) Barron; her sister, Glenda Aijala; and her sister-in-law, Ruby (Dan Sr.) McClellan.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date, to be announced.