Paul E. McClure of Franklin, IN passed away in the arms of his family at age 97 on July 12, 2021. A longtime resident of Indianapolis and Franklin, he was born on Jan 15, 1924 in Ghent, KY to the late M.B. and Lucia McClure.
At age 19, Paul volunteered for duty in the US Army. During World War II, Sgt Paul McClure served as his platoon’s communications chief in combat in Europe, 1944/45, where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and was decorated for valor with a Bronze Star. On April 4, 1945, he participated in the first Allied liberation of a concentration camp at Ohrdruf, Germany. A month later, he concluded his combat service in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, where American forces met their Russian counterparts, signaling the war’s end. After the war, he returned to Evansville College, eventually transferring to Purdue University where he graduated with a Mechanical Engineering BS in 1950 and a MS in Education in 1955. In 1959, Paul moved to Indianapolis, where he first served as the Director of Education at North United Methodist Church. In 1966 he became a Program Associate at the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis, and in 1973, he became the Executive Director of the Church Federation, where he served until he retired in 1987.
As a natural “bridge builder” for the Church Federation, Paul enthusiastically pursued leadership positions around the city. He chaired the Police/Community Relations Committee; was Vice-President of Crossroads of America Council of the Boy Scouts; was the Chairman of the Fairbanks Hospital Board (Community Fairbanks Recovery Center); was Chairman of the Buchanan Counseling Service at Methodist Hospital; and served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Council of Churches. He also developed a city-wide suicide prevention service and was instrumental in developing Christian programming for local television.
Following his retirement, he and his wife Patricia traveled across the country in their trailer, spending many happy years wintering in McAllen TX before eventually settling in Franklin IN in 2001. Six years after Pat’s passing in 2010, Paul married Dotti Gerner, a lifelong friend and colleague. Paul was a proud Purdue University alumnus, a tireless champion of education, and a Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver recipient; but most importantly, he was a wise, loving, and compassionate inspiration for his entire family.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Patricia, his daughter Pamela Wichmann, and his brothers Bruce, Karl and Alden. He is survived by his wife Dotti, his children Peggy (Joe) Kelley, Paul Alan (Theresa) McClure and Bernie Wichmann; his four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and his brother Edwin (Ann) McClure.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00pm on Jul 24, 2021 at North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis.
