Obituary from the
Elkhart Truth newspaper:
http://www.elkharttruth.com/obituaries/ ... ELLAN.html
MISHAWAKA-- David P. McLellan, 73, of Mishawaka, departed from this life on Saturday (Jan. 12, 2008).
Born on July 23, 1934, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Huber Dakin McLellan and Agnes Corbitt McLellan, he attended elementary school there before his parents relocated in 1946 to La Porte, Ind., near his father's family. He graduated from La Porte High School in 1952 and began employment with the New York Central Railroad as a ticket clerk and interlocker operator. He also worked as an assistant mechanic on USAC championship and stock cars, continuing as a hobby in car mechanics for the rest of his life.
In 1957 he was drafted by the U.S. Army, attended signal school at Fort Monmouth, N.J., and was stationed in Germany with the 97th and 24th signal battalions. Afterwards, he returned to the railroad, leaving in 1968 to become a switching equipment technician for Indiana Bell Telephone, now known as AT&T, until his retirement in 1994.
On Dec. 18, 1971, he married Joan Mathews in Lowell, Ind., residing in Mishawaka since then. Survivors also include their two children, Laura McLellan, wife of Christopher Parvin of Leroy Township, Ohio, and Edward McLellan of South Bend.
An avid historian, well versed in local railroad history, his proudest work was the extensive research and preparation for writing "The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway," coauthored with Bill Warrick. David was an avid model railroader, enjoyed taking long walks at Notre Dame and Fernwood, and loved reading military history, natural history and other subjects. From early childhood he was a life-long friend to dogs, cats and other animals and wildlife. He enjoyed a variety of music, particularly traditional jazz, big band era and classical.
With the generous gift of his railroad books and memorabilia, the David and Joan McLellan Collection will be established at the Northern Indiana Center for History. The NICH, La Porte County Historical Society and Elkhart County Historical Society greatly benefited from his membership, volunteerism and historical knowledge. David was also a member of Fernwood Botanical Garden, Telephone Pioneers of America, Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, American Legion Post 161, 97th Signal Battalion Association and 24th Infantry Division Association.