Chad Lee McClung

Chad Lee McClung, passed away peacefully after a brave battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) on Monday, August 7, 2023.  He was 54 years old.

Chad was born on May 2, 1969 in Alliance, OH to Sandra Sue Russell and Rubert Lee McClung, and was a lifelong Alliance resident.  He worked as a Tool and Die Maker/CNC Programmer at Banco Die for 25 years and finished his career at Hunt Valve.  He also had a sign business called Creative Cutting where he fabricated signs for Stark Parks and other businesses.

Chad was a man of kindness and integrity.  He was known for his sharp wit and dry humor that would surface at the perfect times.  He deeply loved his family which was the center of his world.  Chad was happiest in the outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s creation and capturing it with his photography.  He enjoyed traveling with his wife, bonfires with the neighbors, fishing, riding his bike and following Ohio sport teams.  Chad could fix, build, and design anything his family could dream up.

Chad was involved with the startup of the New Pointe Community Church in Stark County as a volunteer in children’s ministry.  He was also instrumental in building up the Sunset Acres Horse Farm and shared it with the community 4-H kids.  The last thing he built were bird houses that were donated to a local preserve.

After his diagnosis, he became passionate about helping others by developing accessible trails for all to enjoy at Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve called “Chad’s Way.”  He also collaborated with Tom Meadows to help test communication technologies for people who can no longer speak or move their hands due to neurological diseases.

Chad is survived by his wife of 27 years, Heidi McClung; daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzy) McClung; his parents, Sandra Sue Russell and Rubert (Rube) Lee McClung; brothers, Glen (Lori) McClung, Scott McClung (Breanna Woodyard); half-siblings, Gina (Chris) Romick and Ryan Russell; his parents-in-law, Kenneth and Vickie Cardinal; sisters-in-law, Chris (George) Promenschenkel and Robin (Bob) Bisesi; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and caregiver and friend, Judy Gibson.

Chad was preceded in death by his grandparents, Reva and Hunter McClung, Mabel and Walter Hill, and his stepfather, Ken Russell.

A special thank you to Community Hospice and dear caretakers Katelynn Fletcher and Freda Kramer.

To celebrate Chad’s life, please join his family at New Pointe Community Church located at 5305 Broadmoor Circle NW, Canton, OH on Saturday, August 12th.  The viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed immediately by the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Greater Alliance     Foundation for the benefit of “53 Accessible Alliance McClung Charitable Fund” at 960 West State Street, Suite 220, Alliance, OH 44601.  Your donation in memory of Chad will develop more accessible trails for the community to enjoy.