TECUMSEH - Donald Edward "Don" McClaflin, 76, of Tecumseh, died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Midland Hospice House. He was born Dec. 31, 1935, at Anthony, the son of Clyde and Glorina (Roach) McClaflin.
Don was raised in Salina by his mother and stepfather, Willard "Bill" McClaflin. He graduated from Salina High School, attended Kansas Wesleyan University and graduated from Washburn University. Don met his wife, Lila Brumbaugh, at Gamble Robinson Co., where they worked. They were married May 12, 1957, at Ada. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007. In 1967, Don went to work for Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Topeka, retiring as director of claims in 1998. Don served in the National Guard from 1953 until 1965. While in the Guard, Don graduated from OCS Class No. 1. In 1965, he transferred to the Army Reserve and served a total of 34 years, retiring as a colonel. Don was honored by induction into the Kansas National Guard OCS Hall of Fame at their first induction ceremony in 2003.
Don was a member of Siloam Lodge No. 225, AF&AM; Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies; and Arab Shrine (Directors Staff, Antiques and LOH). He served as Arab Shrine Potentate in 2008. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Topeka, the American Legion and MOAA.
Surviving are his wife, Lila J. McClaflin; a son, Mark, of Tecumseh; a daughter, Jennifer (Jim) Flory, of Topeka; a brother, Clyde W. (Thelma) McClaflin Jr., of Hutchinson; four sisters, Ruth (Bob) Oltmanns, of Moundridge, Delores (Frank) Meyer, of New Braunsfels, Texas, Carol Campbell, of Wichita, and LaDeene (John) Wickersham, of Salina; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today, Feb. 7, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Private interment of cremains will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family received friends Monday night at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2021 S.W. 29th St., Topeka, KS 66611-1977; Arab Shrine Forever Endowment Fund, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1332; or Midland Hospice, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606-2800.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel
Topeka.com.