WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
John Charles McClellan “Big John,” age 60, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 due to a semi accident in Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
Big John was born December 28, 1959 in Lagrange County, Indiana and later adopted by Charles and Dorothy (Marquardt) McClellan.
For a brief time he lived in Alabama, then moved back home to Indiana where he attended school.
John had driven a semi for the last 40 years and was an owner operator at one time. He was employed by Sunrise Produce out of Goshen, at the time of his passing.
John had a passion for Harleys and enjoyed riding all over the U.S. He was once a member of The Gold Wings. He also enjoyed karaoke and just loved music overall. He was a very outgoing and adventurous man who really loved spending time with his friends and family.
On March 14, 1981 he married Elisa Thomas. She preceded him in death on July 30, 2018.
Big John is survived by his fiancée Debra McNamee-Russell; her children, Jeff Smith, Jason Smith, Justin Smith, Heather (Amber) Smith, and Hannah (Christopher) Zablocki; 11 grandchildren, Brock, Ashton, Baylee, Mackenzie, Jason, Emily-Jean, Prailynn and Kaylob Smith, Gage and Kraivon Zablocki, and Kylee Masters. Sister-in-law Ingrid (Derryl) Ballinger, and niece Chelsea Uphaus. And good friend Don Bateman.
Services will begin with a visitation on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home and end with a private service on Saturday, December 5, 2020.
Donations in John’s memory may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene Building Fund. Envelopes are available at and may be sent to the funeral home in care of his arrangements.
