Talbert Mcclure

Talbert Frank McClure was a hard working, honorable man who invested in his family, his friends, and his country. Teaching by example, he instilled respect, diligence and joy in the lives of his children. His quick wit and flare allowed him to engage in fun and games as well as poetry and song. The love he extended to others was returned to him by those who called him husband, father, grandfather and friend. Talbert Frank McClure was born in Muskegon, Michigan on March 22, 1923 to Samuel and Yola (Manson) McClure. He was the third of four childrenPerry, Allen, Talbert and Samattending Muskegon Schools and growing up during the harsh years of the Great Depression. Because money was scarce, families made their own entertainment at home, playing parlor and board games, listening to baseball on the radio, and being inspired by President Franklin Roosevelts Fireside Chats. But Tragedy struck the family when young Allen died at the age of eight. Yet, despite the hardship of grief and poverty, Talbert enjoyed a childhood filled with fun that could be found around home. He went skinny-dipping in the local swimming hole, played cards, liked poetry, and messed around with frogs on a stick! One day while walking home from school with his friend Jack Morris, Talbert spotted a pretty young blonde girl, whom he later learned was Virginia May Morris. He told his friend that he was going to marry that girl someday. Jack replied, Like hell you will, thats my sister! However, such strong language did not stop Talbert from going over and speaking with her, laying a foundation for a future meeting. Like most young men of his day, Talbert joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and fought in Germany during WWII. He was wounded in battle and ended up in the Army Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio for more than two years, recovering from his injuries. During his long stay, family members came to be with him, and they could stay at the hospital over night for $0.70 a day. At times, famous starssuch as silent film star Walter Pigeonvisited the hospital to try and cheer up the guys. But no one aided Talbert more than a nurse named Mary McCarthy, who stayed by his bedside to care for him all night on Christmas Eve. He never forgot her for her kindness. Still recovering in hospital, Talbert and a buddy at times snuck out late at night to hitchhike to Talberts grandmother in Pittsburg. She regularly gave them taxi money to get back again, but they never took a cab. Instead, they used the money to buy a couple of cold ones on the way back to the hospital. As unconventional as that therapy was, it meant that Talbert was recovering, and the hero of war would be released. Because of his bravery over the course of his military service, Talbert received two purple hearts and a bronze star. After his discharge, Talbert was determined to look up that pretty blonde he had met so many years before. And he did. Talbert and Virginia began a courtship that grew them closer and closer, so that when they made their wedding vows on July 1, 1946, Talbert knew he had married the love of his life. The newlyweds made their first home in an apartment, and Talbert got a job at the same company his father workedTeledyne Continental Motorsand Virginia worked at Muskegon Box Factory. They both had to walk to work because they could not afford a car, but very little stopped them from fully enjoying life. They loved to go downtown to the Muskegon Strip for dancing, and when they took to the floor, other dancers stopped to watch because they were so great together. A year after they were married, Talbert and Virginia began their family. Dan was born in June of 1947, Dennis in January 1949, Timothy in February 1950, Thomas in May of 1952, followed by Cynthia in December 1957 and Lorrie in February of 1961. Early in their family life, Talbert learned to appreciate the important role of a stay-at-home mom. When the first three boys were still young, Talbert experienced a lay-off from his job and had to stay home while Virginia went to work at the Holiday Inn. The day he was called back to work was one of the happiest in his life, because the boys were too much for Talbert. It all worked out well because Virginia got to stay home again, and that made her happy. In time, the family moved to Grant, Michigan, where they had purchased an 80-acre farm with a lake included on the property, complete with horses, chickens, cats and dogs. It was a wonderful place to live. Like his own childhood, Talberts children went swimming and exploring, made friends and played baseball, kept animals and rode mini bikes. He taught them to swim, dive, ride bikes, drive and many other things, but his kids also learned to work hard, sometimes with such heavy jobs as laying cement. The values of cooperation and productivity accompanied family fun and made a lasting impression on the McClure children. One family memory that stood out to Talberts kids occurred on Easter. Virginia had forgotten to hide the Easter baskets, so she told Talbert to take the kids for a walk while she scrabbled to find hiding places. So, off they went in the cold, down by the lake where it was muddy. As it happened, Talberts shoes go stuck in the mud and he had to walk the mile back home barefoot. Actually, he more or less hopped home as the kids chanted, Theres the Easter Bunny! When they finally got back, their teasing turned to kindness as they rubbed their dads cold feet back to normal. Once the children grew up and moved on, Talbert and Virginia returned to Muskegon and eventually retired. Only in retirement did Talbert slow down a bit, otherwise he was always working on somethingbefore, during and after work. He was known for the grandfather clocks he built, and together, he and Virginia often went to estate sales to find furniture they could refinish or add to their antique collection. They frequently visited the VFW, and on a few occasions, the two of them went on Army reunion trips, took cruises and went to Florida. But their greatest joy was visiting grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom they absolutely adored. It was understandable that Talbert sorely missed his beloved Virginia when she died in 2007. The two of them had shared over 60 years of love and laughter. Throughout his life, Talbert gave to his family and friends. Working for over 40 years at Continental Motors, he was a proud provider of his family. He was a longtime member of Don Rea VFW Post 8846 for 50 years and a member of the Masons for 38 years. He liked taking family and friends out on pontoon rides around Muskegon and Bear Lakes. He was a student of his surroundingswatching the History Channel on TV, judging cases along with Judge Judy, singing Irish music, listening to opera music, playing the one-armed bandits, and reciting poetry. Up to the end of his life, Talbert could still recite such poems as Edgar Allen Poes, The Raven, that concluded with words that still ring with Talberts voice, "Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore'." Whether called Mac or Tab by his friends or Frog and Hubba by his family, Talbert will be remembered as a man of great depth and warmth. Mr. Talbert Frank McClure, age 86 of Muskegon, died Monday, March 15, 2010. His wife, Virginia, preceded him in death 3 years ago. He is survived by his sons, Daniel McClure, Dennis (Debra) McClure, Timothy (Carol) McClure, Thomas (Marshell) McClure; daughters, Cynthia (Brian) Castenholz, Lorrie (Ronald) Bielski; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. McClures life will be held Friday, March 19, 2010, 1:00 PM at VFW Don Rea Post 8846. The family will received visitors on Thursday, 4-7 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to VFW Don Rea Post 8846. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.