Donald Garland McLean, a long time Valparaiso resident and United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, passed away April 5 at Porter Regional Hospital.  He was 86.  Don was born in LaGrange, Illinois, and grew up on a farm in Washington Township with his parents, Lawrence and Mariola McLean.  Don graduated from Washington Township High School and was active in 4-H and sports.  He also attended classes at Valparaiso University and Purdue University.

A resident of Valparaiso for over 60 years, Don served for many years as the Secretary of the Porter County Fair Board.  After retiring from Bethlehem Steel (Burns Harbor) and from the upholstery company he founded and operated, Don remained active in the community, receiving a Porter County volunteer service award in 2000.  He was a devoted husband to his wife of 50 years, Dolores Jeanette McLean (nee Hendricks), who passed away in 2003.  One of Don’s first cousins was Natalie Rehnquist (nee Cornell), wife of William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States.

Don is survived by his children, Donald Cornell (Christine) McLean of Potomac, Maryland, and Victoria Lynn Walker of Freeport, Florida, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great great grandson, and his Brother-in-law, William (Sue) Hendricks, as well as several dear friends.

Visitation will occur on Friday, April 14, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Bartholomew’s Funeral Home in Valparaiso.  Services will be conducted on Saturday, April 15 at 10:00 am at Bartholomew’s, followed by a service at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso.

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