Alden Ray “Sonny” McClure, Jr: 1955 – 2008
Alden Ray “Sonny” McClure, Jr., 52, a native of Churubusco and more recently a resident of Auburn, died unexpectedly and was found at his home at 4:20 p. m. on Friday, January 18, 2007.
Mr. McClure was born on December 5, 1955 in Fort Wayne, a son of Alden Ray, Sr. and Betty J. (Walker) McClure. He spent his formative years in Churubusco, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1974.
He had been employed at Graber Excavating in Auburn for several years, and for the past seven years had worked in road construction for Wayne Asphalt & Construction Company, Inc. in Fort Wayne.
He was a member of the Pro Golf Association. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed golf, and recently had a hole-in-one. He enjoyed fishing, blue grass music, and was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University basketball, and NASCAR.
The surviving relatives include his daughter Tinly Hoffman of Fort Wayne; his mother and step-father Betty J. and Leroy Lawson of Churubusco; his siblings Carol Butler of Spencerville, Gloria Hughett of Fort Wayne, June Houlton of Auburn, Linda (Duane) Barth of Columbia City, Beverly (Joe) Gray of Archbold, Oh., David (fiancee Rebecca Coffelt) McClure of Columbia City, Aaron (fiancee Cynthia Freeman) McClure of Churubusco, and Wanda Van Horn of Auburn; and his three grandchildren Austin Hoffman, Peyton Gaff, and Alyvia Hoffman.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a son Jeremy Ray Hoffman on November 3, 2002.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Wednesday, January 23, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Timothy Grable, pastor of Sugar Grove Church of God, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.
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To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. McClure’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
January 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
So sad to hear the news about Sonny. He looked so much like my Dad, and once in a while I would see him in Auburn, and it seemed like each time I seen him he looked more and more like his Uncle Ed. May God bless and comfort each of you during this time. God bless you, Sonny. You will be missed.
January 21st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
My heart is heavy, Thousands of memories roll through my mind. Memories that will live forever. When i was with My “brother” we always talked and rehashed the old days growing up, high school footbal, just hangingout in simpler less complex times. of course we talked about current events too.I always told Sonny, i wonder what its going to be like when were old in our 70’s 80’s will we still have such great memories (contigient on our minds being sound) and will we still be talking about them over a beer at some bar. I suspected so. On many occasions when we would part after a day of sharing we would give each other a hug a say I love ya buddy. We always new we had each other if there was anything we could do to help. We might go periods of months without a word, but when we were together, might as well been a day. Sonny is my best freind and always will be. I will miss him so much. Sonny was a person you thought would be around forever, he will be. God bless you sonny and thank you for all the times you listened without judgment, and helped without questions, I will miss our times of laughter and comaraderie. There is know other like him. I pray for you and we will all see you soon enough. I know he will be telling my other brothers before you, Steve and Curt i said hi, and miss them.
My heart and thoughts and Prayers go out to my extended family,the Mcclures,I feel you pain, together we will clebrate Sonny’s Life. I can hear exactly what Sonny would be saying about now. You that know him know what i am saying.
He will be greeted by many who went before him, His dad will have open arms, He is fine, he now will watch over us as one of Gods Angels.
God Bless and Peace be with you all
January 21st, 2008 at 5:50 pm
God Saw he was getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So he put his arms around Sonny
And whispered, “Come home to me”
With tearful eyes
We think of him
And know he leaves this world
Although we loved him
Dearly we could not make him stay
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
“He only takes the best”
From my heart
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
I was so sorry to hear about the death of Sonny. He was one of my best friends and we had many good time together. I will never forget all the memories we made. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the funeral but I have to be out of town until Friday. You will be in my prayers.
“Sonny. We had some great times together. Since you died so young, I did not have a chance to properly say goodbye. I wish I could have. Goodbye my friend.”
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
To Linda & Duane and all of Sonny’s family, my sincere condolences. I’ve always admired what a close family the McClures are. I’ve been priviledged to hear many family stories over the years from Linda and I recall one about Sonny going to school and having to have a sister explain why he was “Sonny” but really Alden and sometimes Ray. It was a marvelous story, just one of my many memories of this wonderful family. You are in my prayers and may God hold Sonny gently in his loving arms and give his peace to the family.
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
As a fellow high school classmate of Sonny’s, I was truly shocked to hear of his unexpected passing. My deepest sympathy to all of his family.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
To the family of Sonny..My heartfelt condolences to you. I had always thought Sonny was a nice guy. I realize that it has been quite a few years since I’ve had any conversation w/him, but he was always nice to me.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I am very sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the McClure family. I went to school with and was friends with Ray. We had alot of fun times together. Ray was a great guy. May your memories of the past give you comfort.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am
To the family and friends of Sonny McClure. I am sorry to hear of his Sonny’s passing. I always remembered growing up and being around my nephews and going over to the McClure’s house. Though it has been many years like my sister Rose has said, just remembering talking to Sonny and listening to him that I have many found memories of him. He could sure make you laugh just like his dad that is for sure. I know this is a very rough time for you all, so I hope that all the memories that you have of him make you smile and to always remember the good times that you shared with each other. May God bless you all and provide you comfort.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:48 am
Dear Betty,
My grandson is Dakota McGuire, Cyndee Freeman’s son.
I looked up this obituary for Dakota, because he was so very sad about Sonny dying. I want to tell you how sorry I am about your son’s death. He sounds like a wonderful man. I lost my son David years ago and the hurt never goes away, but it does get easier to bear. I know that you will miss him alot, but he left alot of good memories. What a tribute to you for raising such a nice son. Aaron is very good to Dakota and I appreciate too.
I hope you are doing okay and I send many blessings your way.
Alanna Coffelt