Allan “Mac” James McLean, 84, of Valparaiso passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024. He was born October 28, 1940, in Pennsylvania to Walter “Dutch” & Virginia (nee Kirk) McLean. Allan attended Kent State University, served proudly with the U.S. Army as an Audio-Visual Specialist, and afterwards received a B.A. in Theater from Columbia College. He retired in 2010 after making a career of keeping people safe, first in the steel industry and later in hospitals as a Senior Safety Consultant with Safety Management Services.
Allan will be remembered for his way with words. He was a credible debater, and volunteered to pass those skills along to his grandsons and other members of the Valparaiso High School Speech & Debate team. Additionally, the Indiana Democrats could always rely on Allan, and he helped by reaching out to voters and working the polls during elections. He also made a splash teaching lifeguarding and volunteering for many years at the YMCA. He was an avid reader, and his love of words and irreverent sense of humor survives in his children and grandchildren.
Allan was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Virginia McLean. On December 20, 1969, he married Judy Gathercoal who survives, along with their children: Lisa (David Mott) Meece & Eric (Christiana) Mclean, and their grandsons: Timothy McLean & David (Megan) McLean.
A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, January 4th at 2 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 Campbell St, Valparaiso, with visitation at 1 pm. Memorial donations for Mac may be made to Izaak Walton League of America, Porter County Chapter at NWIConservation.org
GUESTBOOK
Mac will be remembered well by his family and for his interest in conservation. -Christiana McLean
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for all of you during this difficult time. Sending you my love and support. -Gabrielle (Kelley) Noe
Sending you my sincere sympathy in the loss of Mac. Many fond memories of time shared with your family way back in the 1980's at church and through Virginia when she lived at Pines Village. May you have peace as time passes/ Please know I care about your family. -Sharon Harris
