Harvey Mcclure, Esq.

Prominent attorney Harvey D. McClure, age 97, of Erie, died July 28, 2018 at Forestview Skilled Nursing Center.

He was born in Wesleyville on July 24, 1921, the son of the Rev. Samuel and Helen Dreibelbies McClure. He was senior partner in the law firm of McClure and Miller and later of counsel at the Knox Law Firm. A much honored member of his profession, he was president of the Erie County Bar Association, a member of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and, from 1987 to 1990, a member of its Board of Governors.

Atty. McClure served on the Erie School Board from 1958 to 1963 and was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1962, serving until 1964.  He also served as Erie County solicitor, solicitor for the Erie County Federation of Clubs for more than 20 years, solicitor and treasurer for the Erie Chapter of the American Red Cross, and as an instructor at Penn State Behrend College.

He saw action as an artillery captain in the 84^th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. He served in the Rhineland, Battle of the Bulge and Central European Campaign. He was a recipient of the Army Bronze Star. He later served as a staff judge advocate with the 28^th Infantry Division during the Korean War and retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Following service in World War II, he entered the University of Pennsylvania Law School receiving his J.D. degree in 1949.  The Erie County Bar Association honored him for service to the profession on Law Day, 1990.

His political service was recognized in 1979, when he won the “Republican of the Year – Helen Schluraff Award”.

Atty. McClure was active in the Eastminster United Presbyterian Church, serving as elder and trustee. He was also a member of the board of managers of the Downtown YMCA, member of the Zem Zem Temple, Erie Club and Mannerchor Club, and life member of the Elks and East Erie Turners.

A 33^rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, he served as Commander-in-Chief and trustee of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Erie. He was a member of the Keystone Lodge 445 F. & A.M. and was a Knight Templar.

He was also an incorporator of Hamot Medical Center, a director and solicitor for Americans for Competitive Enterprise System, solicitor and executive committee member of the Erie County Republican Committee, vice president and secretary of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the American Legion, VFW and Reserve Retired officer Associations.

His various solicitorships included the Erie County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices, and a number of churches.

Atty. McClure was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen L. McClure.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Frey McClure; two daughters, Maureen W. McClure, Ph.D. of Pittsburgh, and Atty. Christine H. McClure of Erie; and two stepchildren, Robert Lowry, Jr. of Butler and Kathe Gleason of Erie. 

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West Tenth Street, on Monday from 3 to until the time of the Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. and are invited to attend a service there on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Reverend Richard Baley officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Shakoor of UPMC Hamot, Great Lakes Hospice, and the staff of Forestview for all their quality care and compassion.

Memorials may be made to the Compass Learning Center, 4701 Old Zuck Rd, Erie, PA 16506,  Bethel Baptist Church,  1781 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508 or the Erie County Law Foundation, 429 West 6^th Street, Erie, PA 16507.