Larry McElhinney
Larry Alan McElhinney, 69, of Hilliards passed away Saturday at Butler Veterans Hospital.
Larry was born June 17, 1947, in Grove City, he was the son of the late Robert “Mac” McElhinney and Doris McClelland McElhinney.
Larry attended Victory Joint School, before graduating in 1966 from Franklin High School. Larry was very athletic, he participated in various activities including gymnastics. He played baseball in the Boyers Little League and a Pony League in Grove City.
Larry enlisted in the Army in October 1966. This started his lifelong military career. He attended basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C., then transferred to Fort Gordon, Ga., to receive training in communication and security. Larry was stationed in Germany with the 69th USA Missile Detachment before deployment to Stratcom Facility DaNaang Vietnam in May 1972. Larry was with the 57 Signal Battalion in Fort Hood, Texas, in May 1972, the 5th BU Gair Defense Artillery in May 1974 in Baumholder, Germany, USACC-MOW Fort McNair, Washington D.C., USACC, Saudi Arabia in April 1980, USAISA CO Torii Station Okinawa, Japan, in September 1984.
Larry also worked for the Defense Communications Agency in the Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a communication operations chief. Larry retired from the military March 31, 1989, from the Pentagon as a master sergeant.
Larry received numerous medals and acknowledgments including expert on the M-14 Joint Service Commendation Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal, just to name a few.
Upon retiring from the military, Larry moved back to his hometown and began working at George Junior in Grove City. Larry then began working for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on June 23, 1990, and for the Federal Investigations on June 7, 1996. His position was transitioned over to USIS. Larry retired from USIS as a data transcriber June of 2009.
Larry's passions in life included his grandchildren and watching them in all of their activities, which filled his heart with joy. He was their biggest fan and supporter, and they could not ask for a better “Grandpa Mac.”
He watched baseball and enjoyed playing a game of softball with his family and friends. Larry was an avid Pittsburgh fan, proudly supporting his Pirates and Steelers. In his downtime he would take trail rides on his bike and would always pack a picnic. Spending time with his family would usually happen over breakfast, where lots of laughs and good conversation took place. Larry had a sharp sense of humor which his family will miss dearly.
All-in-all, Larry was a very generous and humble man. His sense of honor and good will to others will be carried on in his children and grandchildren.
Family left to cherish his memory, are Larry's wife, Ginny Boyles; his son, Jeffrey A. McElhinney of Florida; his daughter, Tricia A. Hoffman and her husband, Clinton, of Clintonville; his son, Terry Nischik and his wife, Jessica, of Emlenton; his beloved grandchildren, Ayman C. McElhinney, Mackenzy G. Hoffman, Emily H. Hoffman, Morgan J. Nischik and Eden J. Nischik; his sisters, Roberta “Bobbie” Cook of Harrisville and Lori Bonanni of North Carolina; his brother, Ron McElhinney of Harrisville; and his sister-in-law, Peggy McElhinney of Harrisville.
Loved ones that welcomed Larry into heaven were his parents and his brother, Mike McElhinney.
MCELHINNEY — The family of Larry Alan McElhinney, who died Saturday, June 18, 2016, will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St., Clintonville.The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kenneth Hughes officiating.Interment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, Pa.The family suggests memorial donations be sent to a cancer society of one's choice or the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard, Box 137, Franklin PA 16323.Friends can send condolences by visiting www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net.
