David J. McClurg

David was born in Greenville, Ohio on November 1, 1948 to Paul and Marlene McClurg. David was raised on a farm with his twelve brothers and sisters in North Star, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army in 1968, serving his time in North Korea. He retired as a MPC Sargent in 1974.

David married Wendy Kay Schaffer on May 26, 1973 in Kettering Ohio at Saint Albert the Great Catholic Church. They started their new life in Northbrook, Illinois soon after David graduated from Tiffin University with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. They decided to move to Wadsworth, Illinois where they bought a 5-acre farm to house their horses and future pigs, chickens and goats. In November of 1985, they welcomed their first daughter, Erin Elizabeth, followed by their second daughter, Meghan Kathleen, in June 1987. David was active in The Lake County Mounted Posse for 20 years and held many roles as a member. He retired from Abbott Laboratories after 30 years of service. After retiring, David and Wendy relocated to Bradenton, Florida in 2005, with both of their girls following not far behind. Erin has been with her life partner, Owen Williams, since 2014 and Meghan has been with her husband Mike McNeill for 15 years. Together Meghan and Mike blessed David and Wendy with two beautiful granddaughters, Erika (10) and Melissa (6). After his grandchildren were born, they became his very existence. The once tough, assertive man softened under their every whim. There was nothing he would not do for them.

David is survived by his wife Wendy Kay McClurg, their children Erin McClurg (Owen) and Meghan McNeill (Michael). His Grandchildren Erika McNeill and Melissa McNeill. His siblings Steven McClurg (Marie), Patrick McClurg, Tom McClurg (Marilynn), Susie Hemmelgarn (Harold), Anne Mangen (Bill), Ed McClurg, Dean McClurg (Darlene), Mary Eyink (Larry), Tony McClurg (Judy), Teresa Wente (Jim), Donna Mix (Gary), Rita Schemmel (John) and his brother-in-law, Kevin Schaffer. He is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Marlene, his in-laws Dale and Erika Schaffer, his beloved sister-in-laws Rosie McClurg, and Ginny McClurg and his niece Kimberly Snow and nephew Stan McClurg.

“You don’t move on after loss, but you move with. You must shake hands with grief; welcome her in, for she lives with you now. Pull her a chair at the table and offer her comfort. She is not the monster you first thought her to be. She is love. And she will walk with you now, stay with you now, peacefully. If you let her. And on the days when your anger is high, remember why she came, remember who she represents. Remember. Grief came to you my friend because love came first. Love came first.” -Donna Ashworth.

A visitation for David will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center, 4310 Solutions Lane, Bradenton, FL 34211, followed by a funeral service at 6:00 PM.