Wilbur Thomas McLane

Wilbur Thomas McLane, age 92 of Lake, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2018 at the MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland. Wilbur’s parents, Grant and Florence (Maltby) McLane had built a stone house and farm on Beaverton Road. His parent’s rented their farm and moved to Hollywood, California where his father worked as a carpenter on movie sets and his Grandpa Maltby wrote music for movies. Wilbur was born on May 20, 1925 in Hollywood, California and lived there for 8 years before his family moved back to the family farm as the Great Depression hit. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on board the U.S.S. Heywood; returning to Michigan following the war to marry Grace Louise Saddler on September 14, 1946. Wilbur had spent time working for the Oil Industry as a Pipeliner, General Motors and Holly Carburetor before becoming the Lake Postmaster in 1955; he retired from the Post Office in the early 80’s. He and Grace had owned the Lake Dairy Phil for a time; as well as Wilbur having a Real Estate License to sell Real Estate. Wilbur was very civic minded and gave of his time and talents to the Farwell Board of Education, the Garfield Township Fire Department and serving on the Garfield Township board for 16 years. He always enjoyed learning and enrolled with his grandson in a welding course offered by Mid Michigan Community College. Wilbur and Grace enjoyed attending the U.S.S. Heywood reunions held across the Country for 26 years. He enjoyed camping with his family and fishing following his retirement and attending as many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s sporting events as possible. Wilbur is survived by his loving wife Grace whom he adored; children Bill (Marcia) McLane of Sanford, Lynn (Tom) Cruickshank of Pennsylvania, Karen (Don) Rohdy of Barryton and Nanette (Brad) Miller of Traverse City; 15 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren; his special friend Randy Heffron, and Sue McLane whom he thought of like a daughter. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Elmer. Visitation will be held at the Farwell Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Services will be held on Thursday at the St. John Lutheran Church with visitation from 10 A.M. until the time of the service led by Pastor Andrew Ewald at 11 A.M. A luncheon will follow at the church with a committal service to take place in the Garfield Twp. Cemetery at 2:30 P.M. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. John Lutheran Church, the Clare/Farwell American Legion and the Clare County Commission on Aging. On-line guestbook at www.stephenson-wyman.com

Wilbur Thomas McLane

May 20, 1925 - May 13, 2018