Pastor Wendell G. McClellan

Pastor Wendell McClellan

Wendell Gillis McClellan entered his eternal home on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at his home, at Somerford Place in Hagerstown, where he was surrounded by family and friends.

Born December 30, 1940 in Longs, SC, he was the son of the late Noah "NT" Tapers and Velma (Coates) McClellan. 

Wendell entered God’s ministry in 1970 and began pastoring a church in Welch, WV. He moved his family to Knoxville, MD in 1974 where he began pastoring First Baptist Church of Weverton, which later became Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. He retired from Pleasant Valley Baptist in 2010 and was a part time interim Pastor for Virginia Ave Baptist Church for three years. He led many people to his Lord and Savior which was the highlight of everything he stood for. After his retirement, he joined the Battlefield Bible Church on Sharpsburg Pike in Fairplay, MD. He loved his family and always loved children. There were few times that you would not see a big smile on his face. He began his battle with Alzheimer’s in 2010 in the very early stages and fought a tough battle for many years, touched lives after the horrible disease hit, and became family to many caregivers and nurses at Somerford Place that helped him on a daily basis.

He is survived by his two daughters, Cindy McClellan Takuski and husband, Michael, and Pam McClellan Weidner and husband, Charlie; his two grandchildren, Brandyn Shoemaker and wife, Carrie, LaCrysta Payne and husband, Charles, six great-grandchildren, Bailee Payne, Aidyn Shoemaker, Bella Payne, Abyl Shoemaker, Bree and Bristle Payne; brother, James McClellan and wife, Linda; sisters, Josephine Thomas and Mitchell Keadle and husband, Wendell; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine; and his sisters, Bessie Fields and Lily Thompson.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 3346 Gapland Road in Rohrersville MD. Burial will be held privately.

Memorial donations may be made, in his name, to the Alzheimers Association. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at BastStaufferFuneralHome.com.