Obituary of Reverend McLaren

Reverend John B. McLaren Elmira: Age 75, passed away peacefully at Elcor Health Services on Sunday, November 18, 2012. Rev. McLaren was born in New Brighton PA on April 4, 1937, son of the late Dr. Harold J. and Mabel (Hutchinson) McLaren. He is also predeceased by his brother Dr. Harold J. McLaren, Jr. Rev. McLaren is survived by his wife of 50 years, Frances Orr McLaren; daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Robert Stanton, Elmira, with sons, Philip and Christopher; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Amy McLaren, Rochester, with daughters, Lucille and Clementine; brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Thomas J. and Rose McLaren, Erie PA; sister Elizabeth Weimer, Beaver Falls PA; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty McLaren, Erie PA, Louise and Douglas Hutchinson, Miami FL, John W. Orr, Bangkok, Thailand, Robert P. and Diane Orr, Colorado Springs CO, Philip N. and Carolyn Orr, Nashville TN; along with several nieces and nephews. Rev. McLaren was a graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington PA. He later attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Divinity. He was pastor at Presbyterian churches in Pittsburgh, Lorain OH, Naples FL, and finally at Lake Street Presbyterian Church in Elmira for 15 years before retiring in 2002. Rev. McLaren was a generous and giving man with both his time and resources. He was active in various peace and social justice groups including the NAACP. In the early civil rights movement he worked for Dr. Martin Luther King. He was an elected member of the board of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship for 12 years. Rev. McLaren was an avid bird watcher. He enjoyed politics and loved to read, with interests on a wide variety of topics. Rev. McLaren was a loving husband, father and grandfather who passed his values on to his children and grandchildren. Private graveside services will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Friday, November 23, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Lake Street Presbyterian Church, Elmira. Donations in Rev. McLaren's memory may be directed to Bread for the World, 425 Third St., S.W., Suite 1200, Washington DC 20024, or Lake Street Presbyterian Church, 300 Lake St., Elmira NY 14901.