//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-life-panel.jpg

Maurice McClish

December 14, 1928 - April 23, 2015
Portage, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-01.jpg



Visitation

Saturday, May 16, 2015
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, May 16, 2015
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK 73123
(800) 227-2345
Web Site

American Heart Association / American Stroke Association Memorial or Tribute Donation
PO Box 840692
Dallas, TX 75284-0692
(800) 242-8721
Web Site

Reverence Home Health & Hospice
1521 Gull Rd., Ste 405
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 343-1396
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site

Wedel's Nursery Florist & Garden Center
5020 Texas Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-1195
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Maurice “Maury” McClish lived a life of purpose while holding his loved ones near and dear to his heart. He was a man of honor and integrity who had a heart of gold. Maury was a devoted family man who loved nothing more than witnessing his family tree blossom to include the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were his greatest source of pride and joy. Although Maury will be deeply missed, the memories he leaves behind will remain a lasting treasure for generations to come.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we often remember as the Roaring Twenties. Jazz music, the Charleston, and motion pictures in both color and sound were threads in the cultural fabric of the times when prosperity covered our nation from coast to coast. This was also the decade when innovation brought us things like radios, refrigerators, and more affordable cars due to the wide implementation of the assembly line. It was just as this decade was winding down that Lawrence and Mildred (White) McClish were filled with great anticipation as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as winter blanketed the city of Portage, Michigan, in 1928. The big day finally arrived when the baby boy they named Maurice E. drew his first breath. He was the middle of three children and was raised in the family home alongside his older brother, Donald, and his younger brother, Marlin.

For the most part Maurice, or Maury as he was usually known, was a young boy of his generation. His father supported their family as an electrician initially, but they later owned a store in the late fifties. Maury’s mother focused her attention in the home until working in the store. He attended local schools and was a bright child; at one point he was even given the opportunity to study in an advanced astronomy program, and in his later years he could still identify the stars and planets and their tracks across the sky.

Not to be forgotten during his years in school was his introduction to the young girl who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Margaret May Crawford, and when he saw her walking in the hallway one day he immediately asked who she was. His friends cautioned him that she was the principal’s daughter, but this did nothing to deter him; upon meeting Margaret, Maury went home and told his mother he’d met the girl he wanted to marry. They began dating, and it wasn’t long before they found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married on April 22, 1951.

As a young newlywed, Maury spent some time working in a hardware store, but he later went into the United States Air Force. His service spanned about 18 months, and of the greatest significance during his time in the military was when he was assigned with the 4676th Air Defense Group. He was discharged as a staff sergeant on August 22nd, 1954, and in recognition of his service he was awarded the Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Over the years Maury and Margaret welcomed three children - Mike, Matt, and Mary - into their hearts and home. During his later years, he was so proud when his family grew to include five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Maury looked forward to Christmas every year as it was a time for the family to gather together. Maury knew his way around the kitchen, and his family and friends loved his steaks and shrimp scampi. Gulf Shores, Alabama, was their favorite place to go, and they spent time in the winter there for years. In the summer, they loved staying in the cabins at Wilderness State Park in Mackinaw, but they also did quite a bit of traveling in their trailer.

Quiet and gentle, Maury McClish was an extraordinary man to know and love. He had a keen mind and a natural understanding of the way things moved, from planets to gears to atoms. He loved working on the family’s 1924 Model T, and was also an able craftsman. Over the years he made many beautiful wood pieces for his wife and his home, and he was always happy to help friends and family with their electrical projects. He also loved music; you always knew when he was home, because music would invariably be playing. Life will never be the same without Maury here, but his legacy will be carried on by those who loved him and follow in his footsteps.

Maury passed peacefully in his home the day after his 64th wedding anniversary, on Thursday April 23, 2015. He fell asleep to the sound of three generations of family laughing and talking, while holding his beloved wife’s hand. Maury’s family includes his wife Margaret; their children Mike (Doris) McClish, Matt McClish, and Mary (Robert) Ryan; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and, of course, his much loved dog, Bailey. Maury was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Donald and Marlin. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 16th from noon until 1 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The memorial service will commence at 1:00pm. Those who wish may make contributions to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and/or Reverence Hospice.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/107164/107164-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg