CLELAN JOSEPH R

COL Joseph "Joe" R. Clelan was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 09/08/2016 at the age of 83.7
Mechanicsburg, PA
Flight Class 57-15
Date of Birth 12/24/1932
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 28 SIG DET in 64-65, USARV FLT in 68-69, 62 CAC in 69
Call sign in Vietnam COACHMAN 6
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Joseph R. Clelan, age 83 of Mechanicsburg passed away suddenly Thursday, September 08, 2016 at West Shore Hospital. Born December 24, 1932 in Lewistown, he was the son of the late George J. and Isabelle Mae (Brown) Clelan.

Joe graduated from Clemson University in 1955 with a degree in engineering. He has been an enthusiastic Tiger's football fan ever since. Serving in the Army for 28 years, he retired at the grade of Colonel. Joe had a distinguished military career. He was a master Army aviator, served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, commanded a battalion at Fort Bragg, and along the way was awarded the Legion of Merit, two medals of Valor, two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, and twelve Air Medals. Following his retirement, he worked for the Pennsylvania Dept. of Veteran Affairs, as a budgetary officer. He was promoted to the second highest position in the DVA, The Deputy Adjutant General for Veteran Affairs. He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, and longtime member of the Carlisle Country Club where he played golf weekly.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Erline (Valentine) Clelan. He is survived by a son, Scott J. Clelan and wife Lori of Mechanicsburg; two daughters, Wendy C. Koering and husband Louis of Vineland, NJ and Carrie C. Celesky and husband Troy of Carlisle; a brother Gerald B. Clelan and wife Beverly of Lewistown; a sister, Martha J. Lynch and husband R. Thomas of Portland, OR; 8 grandchildren, Jeremy and wife Megan, Kevin, and Sarah Koering, Lydia, Ian and Max Clelan, Abigail and Molly Celesky and great-grandson, Griffin Clelan.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Friday, September 16, 2016 at Malpezzi Funeral Home, 8 Market Plaza Way, Mechanicsburg. Viewing will be Thursday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Burial: Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA

Burial information: Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA

This information was last updated 09/30/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024