John McClarey, 88, of Decatur, the world-renowned sculptor who created Hillsboro’s life-size statue of Abraham Lincoln, died Jan. 19, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital from injuries suffered earlier that day in a car accident on Decatur’s western edge.
His wife, Carole survived the head-on crash and is recovering at Springfield Memorial Hospital. Celebration of life services will be announced at a later date by Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur.
Mr. McClarey was born Oct. 22, 1935, in Leoma, TN, son of James and Ruth (Park) McClarey. He married Carole Ann Noland on Dec. 18, 1955.
He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Millikin University in 1959 then later a master’s degree in U.S. history from Illinois State University. He taught history and sociology at Edinburg and Cerro Gordo public schools for most of his career along with stints at Lincoln Land and Richland Community Colleges. After retiring from teaching, his career as a sculptor and artist flourished.
Mr. McClarey leaves a legacy of art all over the world. In addition to the statue on Lincoln Plaza in downtown Hillsboro, his Lincoln sculptures can be seen throughout Illinois, including outside the Old State Capitol in Vandalia, at the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Illinois Supreme Court in Springfield, as well as sites in New York City, Washington, D.C., Moscow, Cuba and Japan.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carole; two sons, Stephen McClarey of Arthur and Phillip (Angel) McClarey of Madison, WI; two daughters, Kathy (Mel) Howard of Newark, OH, and Eileen (Nick) Lawless of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Ryan, Brittany, Jennifer, Philip, Tim, Breanna, Nurlan and Alina; and great-grandchild, Matthew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James McClarey and sister, Mary (Fairfield) McClarey.
Memorials are directed to the Illinois State Historical Society, PO Box 1800, Springfield, IL 62705 or the Central Christian Pre-School Scholarship Fund, 650 W. William Street, Decatur, IL 62522.
