Thomas McClellan

Tom wishes were for direct cremation; friends may sign the register book during the day at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Thomas McClellan Memorial c/o the funeral home.

Thomas Earl McClellan, 87, of Belleville, Kansas passed away on Wednesday February 25 ^th , 2015 at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville, Kansas.  He was born on June 28 ^th , 1927 in Denmark, Kansas to Anna Christina (Stephenson) and James Adison McClellan.  Tom grew up in Lincoln Kansas and graduated from Lincoln High School.  After high school he joined the United States Army and served during World War II.  He was united in marriage to Virginia Clark on September 9, 1950 in Lincoln, Kansas and to this union was born two daughters Julie and Kristina.  Tom had several jobs throughout his life including a police officer in Salina, Kansas, managing a dry cleaner in Lawrence, Kansas, salesman for C.D. Smith Drug Company based in St. Joseph, Missouri, salesman for Melton Motor Company in Belleville, and U.S. Deputy Marshall.  Tom, Virginia, and the girls moved to Belleville in the early 1960’s and later bought “Jack and Nora’s Cleaners and Shoe Store” and renamed it to “Holiday Cleaners.”  As a young man with his love for music Tom formed the band Tommy’s Western Swing Sounds and played in many different dance halls for numerous organizations around the Belleville area.  Tom loved playing his beloved Gipson guitar and entertaining people.  He and his bandmates appeared on local radio stations and TV shows.  Tom was a proud member of many organizations such as Masonic Lodge No. 129, Belleville, NCK Shrine Club, Isis Temple of Salina; V.F.W. Post 3722, American Legion Post 133, and the Belleville Country Club.  He enjoyed playing in his band, riding Harley Davidson’s, golfing, and had a love for trains. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, wife Virginia in 1998, and daughter Julie Bowen in 2006.  Sisters Ora Christine Edwards, Cora Fern Wesseloh,  half brothers and sisters Esther Gibbs, Arnold Hansen, Dagmar Hein, Virginia Carpenter, Virgil Hansen.   He will be forever remembered by his daughter Kris (Roger) James of Belleville, Lady Friend Maggie Book of Salina, 7 Grandchildren, Stacey (Daniel Stetser Jr.) Bowen of Belleville, Crystal James of Belleville,  Mitchell Johnson II of Sequim, WA, Jeremiah (Crystal) Johnson of Sumner, WA, Joshua (Tosha) Bowen of Belleville, Micah (Aubrey) Bowen of Longmont, CO,  Nichole (Matt) Bowin of Springfield, MO; 6 great-grandchildren; son-in-law William Bowen, Belleville; several nieces and nephews.  Memorial Services will be held on Saturday March 7 ^th , 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln, Kansas.  Memorials may be made to the family’s choice in memory of Thomas.  The family will be greeting friends and family at the Belleville Country Club where Tom was a member for a number of years following the service. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas assisted the McClellan family with these arrangements.