George S. McClarnon

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George S. McClarnon, age 90, of Greenfield, passed away on June 4, 2011.

The son of Mary and Russell “Bill” McClarnon and the second of six children, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eileen; his three children, Melanie, Jeff, and Laura (Yorn); eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his youngest brother, Keith McClarnon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 After graduating from Charlottesville High School and attending Indiana University for a year, George enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was stationed for four years in Wales. It was there that he met Eileen, who was also serving her country during World War II.

 After the war, George was accepted into the School of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State, where he graduated second in his class and was President of the student chapter of the Veterinary Association.

 Dr. McClarnon opened his practice in Knightstown in 1954, working primarily in large animal, with a small office at the back of his house. During his Knightstown years, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Knightstown Methodist Church, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Citizens National Bank, and later a member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of New Castle. He also spent a term as President of Kiwanis Club and was a lifelong member of the American Legion and the Knightstown Post.

 In 1967, he built the Brandywine Veterinary Hospital on State St. in Greenfield. During his career, he was actively engaged in promoting the establishment of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University (where he later served on the Board of Veterinary Examiners) and he was President of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association in 1978. He retired in 1989.

 Aside from a career in veterinary medicine, Dr. McClarnon also raised and bred Standardbred race horses. As a result of his passion for horse racing, he was heavily involved in the movement to bring parimutuel betting to the state of Indiana. He served two terms on the Board of Indiana Trotting and Pacing Horse Association and was a member of the Standardbred Board of Regulations. Because of his efforts in promoting the sport and the success of his breeding program, he was elected to the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame in 2007.

 Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, from 4:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Burial will take place at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Mental Health America/Hancock County, or to the Humane Society of Hancock County. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].