Herbert "PoDunk" Wayne McClure Obituary (1930

Herbert Wayne "PoDunk" McClure, 83, of Ottumwa, and formerly of Eldon, IA passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 24, 2014 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Living Hope Bible Church in Eldon. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 23, 2014, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Kremer Funeral Home in Eldon. As were his wishes his body will be cremated after the service with a private family burial to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Living Hope Bible Church. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.kremerfh.com. Herbert Wayne "PoDunk" McClure, the son of Clyde and Millie (Huffman) McClure, was born December 15, 1930 in Floris, IA. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at both Eldon and Davis County. On February 17, 1951, he married Betty Northup. Together they lived in the Eldon area where they raised their two boys, Mike and Randy until Betty passed away in 1993. During this time, Wayne owned and operated a welding shop in Eldon, as well as farming for many years in Floris, IA. He also worked as a Field Test Mechanic for John Deere Works for 28 years. On June 24, 1995, Wayne was united in marriage to Anna Jean Fowler. With this union the family grew to include Ralph, Jeanne, Connie, and Debby. Wayne was a member of the Living Hope Bible Church in Eldon, and the United Auto Workers Local No. 74 of Ottumwa. He loved the outdoors, which included hunting, fishing, mushrooming, feeding the birds, and growing tomatoes in the backyard. PoDunk liked to sit down and watch a good Nascar race, which probably stemmed from his years racing stock cars with his sons throughout the Midwest. He loved to race, but the memories created with his sons are what he cherished most. When Wayne had some down time you might find him tinkering around the house or grilling up a steak at one of their family gatherings. PoDunk McClure was a man who loved his family, knew the value of hard work, and made a point that there were no strangers, only friends. He would help anyone in need. PoDunk will be remember fondly in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to have him as family, or call him friend. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Betty Northup McClure, as well as three brothers, Gail, Wallace, and Fred McClure. Left to share his story is his loving wife Anna; two sons, Mike (Toni) McClure of Eldon and Randy (Deborah) McClure of Floris; four step-children, Ralph (Elaine) Murray of Clarksville, TN, Jeanne (William) McMillan of Frankfort, MI, Connie (Bob Celania) Richards of Ottumwa, and Debby Storey of San Antonio, TX; a brother, Vic McClure of Ottumwa; two sisters, Janice Chickering and Patty Pearson, both of Eldon; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.