Rasselle Lee McCaleb, DDS, 85, passed away on May 27, 2009, at the V.A. Hospital in Lake City, Florida. Known as Mac by his friends, he was born on June 14, 1924, to Dr. Walter Lee McCaleb and Lillie Mae Brown McCaleb in Coalmont, Tennessee. He grew up in Beaver, Ohio, and graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN. He served in the US Army Infantry from 1943 to 1946 in Europe under Gen. George Patton's Third Army, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his service he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned several medals, including the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, he returned to Ohio and married his childhood sweetheart, Jean Lois Rapp. He entered Ohio State University and graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1953. Dr. McCaleb worked as a dentist at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, FL, before moving to Lake City, FL, to set up a private dental practice in 1955. He retired in 1979 but continued his volunteer work for the Florida Highway Patrol for a total of 23 years of service, achieving the rank of Major in the FHP Auxiliary. He was a member of the American Legion and was a Lifetime Member of the Disabled American Veterans. During retirement, he traveled by motor home all over the US, Canada, and Mexico with his wife Jean, frequently accompanied by their good friends Linwood and Myrtice Colson, Hal and Emma Lou Worth, and Harvey and Mary Frances DeVane. He had many hobbies, including fishing and wood carving which he shared with his friends Art and Gloria LeCours. He will be missed by his wife of 63 years, Jean McCaleb, and his children Pamela Sue McCaleb (James Moore) and Scott Lee McCaleb (Janet) and granddaughter Kelly Marie McCaleb. He was preceded in death by his brother Beverly McCaleb and his sister Lillian McCaleb Junkermann. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 2 p.m., at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. They ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Volunteer Services for the VA, Hospice Unit, 619 S. Marion Ave., Lake City, FL. 32025. Arrangements are under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025 (386-752-1954). Please sign the guestbook at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.
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