Callander

Ronel Merle Callander, 85, of Dutch Hill, Perry Township, Clarion County, died late Monday evening at the Clar-view Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Sligo, where he lived for the past three years.

Born Sept. 26, 1920, in Perry Township, he was the son of Merle Clyde and Nina Marie Fair Callander.

During World War II, he and his twin brother served together in the Army from basic training at Camp Blanding, Fla., through service in the Philippines, especially in the Manila area. He served with Co. D, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division.

In November 1947, he began a 35-year career at Hunter's Truck Sales and Service in Eau Claire and retired in 1982 as service manager. He then continued part time at Hunter's, where he delivered parts until 1996.

He was a life member of the VFW Post 7073 and a member of the American Legion Post 598, both of Parker.

Mr. Callander had served the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department from its inception in many offices and duties.

He was a Christian and attended the Park Hill Church of God in West Freedom until ill health prevented his attendance.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he looked forward to visits from his family and attended all family reunions.

He was respected in the workplace as well as the community. He was a compassionate and giving man, and he and his wife opened their home to many less fortunate throughout the years.

Surviving are his wife, Ellen (Maryellen) Thompson Callander, whom he married May 25, 1940, in Sligo; a daughter, Sue Buzard and her husband, Tom, of Parker; three sons and their wives, Larry and Charlotte Jordan Callander of West Freedom, Ned and Jean Conner Callander of Parker and David and Sandy Fleming Callander of Eau Claire; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he thoroughly enjoyed.

He also is survived by his twin brother, Donel "Don" Callander of West Freedom; and two sisters, the Rev. Bessie Maihle of West Freedom and Kathleen Morrison of Belle Fontaine, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Faye Marie Callander; a grandson, Michael Callander; and three sisters, Dorothy Callander, Doris Pierce and Alene Anthony.

<B>CALLANDER</B> — Friends of Ronel Merle Callander, who died Monday, Sept. 4, 2006, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne Street, Parker. Visitation also will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday in the Park Hill Church of God, Line Plant Road, West Freedom, where services will follow at 11 a.m.Burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery at Dutch Hill, where members of the Parker VFW and American Legion posts will hold a graveside veterans service.