Robert McClester Obituary

Robert McClester, 90, of Mechanicstown, died Saturday March 12, 2005 at Aultman Hospital.

Born in Hobart, Oklahoma, June 22, 1914, he was the son of the late John and Lucinda (Kerr) McClester. He graduated from Minerva High School in 1931and Ohio State University in 1937. He moved to their current home in Augusta Township in 1920.

He was a farmer and worked as a Field Manager for the United States Department of Agriculture Farmers Home Administration, retiring in 1983. He was a member of Herrington Bethel United Methodist Church, a former teacher of the Milner Bible Class of Herrington, and a former member of the Herrington Church Board. He was a charter member of OSU Tower Club (Stadium Scholarship Dormitory). Robert taught agricultural classes to WWII veterans. He served on the Carroll County Health Board from 1983-1998 and on the Carroll County District Library Board from 1987-1999. He is a past president of both groups. He hosted the Country Living Field Day (1994-2003). He was named the Farmer of the Year in 1999 by the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District. In 2000, he was the first in the State of Ohio to donate development rights of his farm to the State. Robert was inducted into the Minerva High School Hall of Fame in 2003. He did thirteen work crusades around the world through World Gospel Mission. He also hosted Servas and Labo guests from other countries.

Robert is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bernice Reid McClester of Mechanicstown; his daughter, Jean (Dave) Swartz of Shelby, Ohio; his sons, John (Betty) McClester of Bedford, TX, J. Neil (Laurie) McClester of Lisbon, R. Scott (Linda) McClester of Florham Park, NJ; eight grandchildren, Robert, Matthew, Michael, Mallory, Jocquelin and Timothy McClester, Lisa Kruszewicz, and Robert Bogniord, six great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Wallace.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday March 20, 2005 at 2:00 PM at Herrington Bethel United Methodist Church with the Reverend Ed Beck and Reverend Richard Wallace officiating. It was Robert's request that his body be donated to Ohio State University for research. In lieu of flowers friends may make memorial contributions to their favorite charity. Friends unable to attend may register online at our website:www.bartleyfuneralhome.com.