Dave McClure

Dave McClure grew up on a small Central Illinois dairy farm and left to attend Illinois State University where he earned an English degree from ISU. Though trained as a secondary school teacher, Dave left teaching to travel and discovered a career as a youth worker helping children and families at Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley (YSB). He built a writing shack in his backyard and retired as the director of YSBIV in 2012.

Daves lives in Ottawa, Illinois with his wife Colleen. They have two children, Maureen and Dean, and a granddaughter named June. In 2005, Dave began writing a weekly blog at YSB to communicate the work of his agency to board members, staff, foster parents, and those connected with YSB’s programs. He continues to blog today at daveintheshack.blogspot.com

When asked what his blog is about, Dave replies “whatever comes to mind.” His readers enjoy articles about community, food, family, faith, travel, and the Cubs. Dave is about to complete a childhood memoir of his family’s life on their small farm from 1952-1969.