Saturday, July 9, 2016

Theo Rowland McElheny



It is with sadness we report that one of our long-time members, Theodore McElheny, passed away on Thursday, July 7th.  Brother McElheny was a 73-year member of our fraternity.  In recent years health issues limited his attendance, but he was able to attend for the presentation of his 70-year award in 2013.  Below is an excerpt from our minutes.  It should be noted that RWB Robert Rill, Jr., is now MWB Robert Rill, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Ohio. 


4/17/13:  Bro. Theodore McElheny was presented west of the altar by SD Cedric Radcliffe.  RWB Robert Rill, RWB Charles Buck, and WM Dave Allman presented Bro. McElheny his 70-year pin, and a 2013 Grand Master's pin.  The 70-year pin was applied by his son, WB Theodore "Rollie" McElheny, who noted that several years earlier he had performed the same task for his grandfather.  WB McElheny led the Lodge in Grand Honors, followed by Bro. McElheny's observations and recollections of Masonic membership.


Below is his obituary, as reprinted from the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home.  Please note that a Masonic Service will be held on Monday, July 11th, at 6pm.

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Theo Rowland McElheny Sr 96 of Marion formerly of LaRue, died Thursday July 7, 2016 at the Marion General Hospital

He was born June 30, 1920 in Hardin County to the late Theodore M. and Cleda (Rowland) McElheny, he was also predeceased by one daughter:
Susan K. McElheny

Rowland was a retired farmer, veteran of the Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa and on mainland Japan in Nagasaki during WW II. He was longtime member of the
LaRue United Methodist Church, LaRue Lodge #463 F & A M, Phillipi-Clement American Legion Post #101, where he was very active as former commander and sergeant of arms leading the memorial day activities and the funeral detail for many years. He was an avid reader, he enjoyed newspapers and anything to do with history

On April 15,1941 he married Kathryn F. (Wood) McElheny and she survives, also surviving is one son: Theo Rowland (
Susan) McElheny II of LaRue, grandchildren: Shawn A. (Mark Goochey) McElheny, Brenna Colleen (Doug Shepherd) McElheny, Katrina M. Thomas and Bridget (Troy) Wiseman, eight great grandchildren and one great great grandson, one sister: Eileen Ford of Bowling Green and a niece and nephew

Funeral services will be held Tuesday July 12, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in LaRue, Pastor Mike Raypholtz will officiate, burial will follow in the LaRue Cemetery, where there will be Military Honors conducted by the Marion County United Veterans Council, friends may call Monday from 4-6 pm at the funeral home in LaRue, where there will be masonic services at 6:00 pm

Memorial gifts may be made to the LaRue United Methodist Church at PO Box 327 LaRue, Ohio 43332 and or the Phillipi-Clement American Legion Post #101 c/o Larry Knapp 1537 Center Park Dr. Marion, Ohio 43302

Remembrances and condolences may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com