Forrest M. McClary

Forrest "Frosty" Merlyn McClary 79 of Centralia, KS died Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at the Stormont Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka, KS.

Forrest was born July 14, 1929 the son of Othel "Peel" Edward McClary and Iola Fern Wohlford in Centralia, KS. Forrest was born in Centralia and then the family moved NE of Kelly, KS and attended the Head School. In 1941 they returned 5 miles south of Centralia. Forrest graduated from Centralia High School in 1947.

Forrest McClary married Geraldine Millick on December 20, 1953 and following her death he married Beverly Enneking Fowler on April 26, 1975 at Seneca, Kansas.
Forrest entered the US Navy in 1950 and served on the USS Princeton during the Korean War. Forrest was honorably discharged in 1954.

He was a member of the Centralia United Methodist Church and had served as a trustee of the church. He had served on the Centralia Fire Department, and on the Centralia City Council, and a former, member of the Lions Club, he also was a 32 degree member of the Masonic Seneca Lodge #39 AF & AM for 57 years and the Arab Temple Shrine of Topeka, KS. He was also a member of the Armstrong Moyer American Legion Post #216. and Senior Booster Club.

Forrest is preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Millick McClary who died on Dec. 8, 1973,his parents Othel and Ferne McClary August 20th, 1981 and a brother, Harold McClary who died in May 3rd, 2006.

Forrest is survived by His wife Beverly of the home in Centralia, KS; two sons, Kent Millick McClary (and his wife Janet Lea Noll) of Elkhorn, NE, and Lonn Jay McClary of Centralia, KS; a step son Daniel L. Fowler of Overland Park , KS; a daughter, Krystal McClary Baldwin of Manhattan, KS; and two step daughters, Pamela S. Fowler and Patricia A. Fowler both of Overland Park, KS.; a brother, Dennis McClary of Loup City, NE; a sister Cheryl Larson of Frankfort, IN; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be Monday March 2, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Centralia at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will be in the Centralia Cemetery with Armstrong Moyer American Legion and the US Navy Honor Detail performing Navy Honors at the grave. The Rev. Deborah Hanes-Nelson will conduct the services. The Seneca Lodge will perform the Masonic Rites at the church. Cyril Steinlage will be the soloist and Julie Gleason will be the organist. Honorary casket bearers are Loyd Bradford, Bill Dowdell, Wesley Osburn, Raymond Petry, Ron Little and Bob Rettle. Memorials are being left to the Centralia Alumni Association and may be sent in care of the Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home in Centralia, KS.

There will be a family visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.