William St. Clair McClenahan

William St. Clair McClenahan, 89, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, December 28, 2001 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. Bill was born September 24, 1912 in Brainerd, Minnesota, son of the late William and Rose (Poppenberg) McClenahan. On June 27, 1941, Bill married the former Mary Louise Weber; she preceded him in death on December 18, 1996. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Carleton College, Minn., received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and did post-doctorate work in Washington, D.C. Bill worked for the Cheeseborough Fellowship at the Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh and for Standard Oil of Ohio in Cleveland. In 1965, he brought his family to Wisconsin and began work at the Institute of Paper Chemistry as the Director of Information Services. Bill retired in 1981. He was a longtime and faithful member of both St. Bernadette and St. Bernard Catholic Churches in Appleton, and previously of St. Dominic’s Church in Cleveland and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Pittsburgh. His deep religious convictions were expressed in a lifetime of devotion to church music as an organist, choir member, and choir director. An active parishioner, his contributions included support for the addition of Holy Week Tenebrae services which have continued for twenty-five years, involvement in the local ecumenical movement, and successful advocacy for the installation of the pipe organ at St. Bernard Parish. Gifted in both music and science, he marveled each time he sat at an organ or a computer.

Bill is survived by four children: Catherine McClenahan of Indiana, Penn., Jane McClenahan of Cleveland, Ohio; Margery Chapman of Neenah; and Bill (Suzann) McClenahan of Madison. Bill was “Papa” to Jane’s daughters Judi (Tom) Ditzler and Beth (Will) Van Epern; and Bill and Suzann’s daughter Kate Lan Cui McClenahan. He was preceded in death by his parents and now has been reunited with his beloved wife Mary Lou.

A memorial funeral liturgy for Bill will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, January 2, 2002 at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1617 W. Pine Street in Appleton with Fr. John Bergstadt officiating. Inurnment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until the hour of the liturgy. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the charity of your choice.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
920-739-1231