Beth McLellan, 84, died Monday, March 25, 2019, at the Oskaloosa Care Center, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Mary Elizabeth McLellan, daughter of Harvey and Zepha Warner, was born August 9, 1934, in Irrigon, Oregon. She graduated from Irrigon High School in 1951. She attended one year at Cheney State (currently Eastern Washington State University) and then went to Springfield, Missouri, to attend Central Bible Institute. It was there she met Cyril Allan McLellan whom she married on August 15, 1953. They made their home in Springfield and had two sons, Steven and Bruce. Beth received her Bachelor of Music Education from Evangel College in 1965. She began teaching woodwinds before graduating and later also music appreciation classes, woodwind choirs, and handbells. In 2010 she was honored for 50 years of teaching at Evangel (now Evangel University). In 2003, the Evangel Alumni Association honored her with the Distinguished Service Award. Throughout the years other assignments included directing the concert band at Central Bible College, writing curriculum for Gospel Publishing House for Vacation Bible School and Sunday School materials, and directing a choir at Maranatha Village.
She also served as coordinator of the annual Ozarks Area Handbell Festival. She played clarinet for 30 years in the Springfield Symphony.
She also served faithfully in numerous positions at Central Assembly of God Church in Springfield. She taught Sunday School, conducted graded choirs, and played clarinet in the church orchestra.
Her family includes Steven (Char) McLellan of Altoona, Iowa, and Bruce (Denise) McLellan of Oskaloosa, Iowa; five grandchildren: Mark (Amy)McLellan of Wichita, Kansas, Scott (Alison) McLellan of Waverly, Iowa, Matthew (Rachel) McLellan of Waverly, Iowa, Anna Marie (Todd) Attig of Altoona, Iowa, and Christopher (Katy) McLellan of Brownsburg, Indiana. Her family also includes eleven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Cyril of 56 years, and brother-in-law Vernon McLellan. She is survived by three sisters: Esther Copeland of Eugene, Oregon, Ruth (Pontelis) Vrontakis of Keiser, Oregon, and Linda (Arlyn) Pember of Springfield. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Arnold (Gerri) McLellan of Brentwood, California.
A service will be held Friday, March 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home (National Blvd.) in Springfield, Mo. Memorials may given to Evangel University.