Ruth Ann McClellan, 87, entered into the arms of her heavenly father and eternal reunion with her family on July 11, 2025, at Timber Creek Village in Shelbyville, Indiana.
She was born September 11, 1937 in Saginaw, Michigan to loving parents, Harold and Thelma Stringer, who preceded her in death. She grew up with a ready-made playmate in her brother, Richard J. Stringer, who survives her. Her big brother, “Dick” could always make her laugh with his witty banter and dry, extra dry, humor.
At the age of fifteen she met a handsome, car-crazy young man, Robert Clayton McClellan, at first Christian Church in Saginaw. Their tender romance was filled with dedicated love, bittersweet challenges and plentiful laughter. Ruth Ann graduated from Arthur Hill High School in June of 1955 and announced their engagement in July of 1956. On May 11, 1957 Ruth Ann married her high school sweetheart, “Bob” McClellan, in the church where they first met. They enjoyed 57 years of love, friendship and teamwork while parenting three children Lynn, Bill and Mike, whom they cherished. “Bob” stepped into his eternal home on April 4, 2014.
Their daughter adored the fact that they were “constant companions who enjoyed doing everything together.” Ruth Ann expressed her love for her family by joyfully decorating and maintaining her warm and welcoming home, sewing clothes and home items, as well as providing wonderful, tasty meals. Her grandchildren remember her baking “sweets” filled with love and extra treats. They also remember that “every time we went to visit her, she would say she had nothing in the house and, somehow, out of that nothing, create this wonderful feast for us to share and enjoy together.” Her casseroles were legendary and never quite reproducible even when the recipe was followed exactly. “Bob” often endearingly called her a domestic engineer. Her son reflects that she “was the most natural engineer” and often did not give herself enough credit concerning her diverse talents.
She was a member of First Christian Church in Saginaw, Michigan and West Street United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, IN and the West Street Women’s Group. She led her West Street group in making curtains for ALL the windows at Camp Moneto Church camp where her son was the director. She enjoyed decorating her home, cooking, hostessing, sewing and loving on her friends and family including her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their friends. Her son remembers that his friends could stop by, with or without him being there, for fresh, out-of-the-oven cookies and motherly affection.
She is survived by her daughter Lynn Horigan and husband, Todd, of Shelbyville, IN; her son Michael McClellan and wife, Mona, of Holland, Mi; five grandchildren: Shannon Nigh; Samuel McClellan and wife, Meghan; Mary Beth Likkel and, husband, Noah; five great-grandchildren: Spencer, Sawyer, Chase, Caroline, and Norah . Her brother Richard Stringer and wife, Jan; sister-in-law Betty Bank and husband, Andy; three nephews and one niece survive her as well. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, William Robert McClellan.
The family is planning a private gathering to pay tribute to Ruth Ann. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Saginaw, MI.
Funeral Directors, Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks are honored to serve Ruth Ann’s family.
Ruth was blessed to have lived and loved her last two years at Timber Creek Village. Her sister-in-law, Betty, remembers Ruth proudly telling her that she put on a pretty, lavender, blouse and was lovingly teased that she “must be going on a date.” The family asks you to join them, if you are inclined, in making Memorial Contributions to Timber Creek Village Staff, marked in honor of Ruth Ann McClellan, 990 Progress Parkway, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Muscular Dystrophy Association online at mda.org with Ruth Ann McClellan listed as the honoree.
The family appreciates online condolences shared at www.murphyparks.com.
