Roland M. McClanahan

Roland M. "Mac" McClanahan, 79, of Shelbyville, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at his home. Born Dec. 8, 1925, in Rosholt, Wisc., he was the son of Ernest and Genevieve (Brekke) McClanahan. He married Ruth L. Strand in 1947, and she survives. Other survivors include one son, David Michael (wife, Nancy I.) McClanahan of Shelbyville; two daughters, Pamela (husband, Dr. John Paul Elcik IV) McClanahan-Elcik, of Wellington, Fla., and Kathleen (husband, Thomas Gruhl) McClanahan-Gruhl of Zionsville; one sister-in-law, Karen Strand Lawler of Indianapolis; and two grandchildren, John Paul "JP" Elcik V and Michelle Kathleen Elcik, both of Wellington. Mr. McClanahan was a Shelbyville resident for 33 years. He owned McClanahan Sales, a manufacturing-equipment rep firm specializing in automotive-rebuilding equipment. During the mid-1960s, he and his wife owned the Mary Carter Paint franchises in Indianapolis. Mr. McClanahan graduated from Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa, and received his bachelor's degree from DePaul University, in Chicago, Ill. He was a U.S. Navy veteran during World War II and the Korean War. Mr. McClanahan was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Alpha Delta Sigma, National Advertising Fraternity of DePaul, Automotive Booster Club of America, Murat Shrine, Scottish Rite, Masonic Lodge, Eagles Lodge, The 500 Club (associated with the Indianapolis 500), the Chanters, the Shelby- ville Lions Club, American Legion Post No. 70, Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 2695 and the Elks Club. He was named a Kentucky Colonel in 1967 by Kentucky's Gov. Edward T. Breathill, Leadership Award recipient in 1997 by former Vice President Dan Quayle, a Distinguished Hoosier in 2000 by Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon and Community Service Leader in 2001 by the Rotary Club of Shelbyville. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Carmony-Ewing Broadway Funeral Home, 232 W. Broadway St. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gary W. Huffman officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery Memorial donations may be made to The McClanahan Family Fund in care of The Community Foundation of Shelby County, Post Office Box 808, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Proceeds from the fund support the D.A.R.E. campaign administered through the law enforcement agencies in Shelby County.