The Rev. John H. Clelland; Retired Pastor

The Rev. John H. Clelland, pastor of El Bethel Apostolic Church of Pacoima for more than 30 years, has died at a Sun Valley hospital. He was 84.

Clelland died Tuesday of a heart attack, said his wife, Esther Clelland.

Clelland was born in Louisville, Ky., and was pastor of a Pentecostal church in Bloomington, Ind., before coming to California in 1955.

In Los Angeles, he served as assistant pastor to the local bishop of the Indianapolis-based Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In 1957, Clelland started El Bethel Apostolic Church from a small prayer meeting in the San Fernando Valley. Clelland served as pastor of the church until his retirement in November. He also had served as district elder of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.

In addition to his wife of 36 years, Clelland is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Beard of Los Angeles; 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. A son, John Martin Clelland, died in 1985, and a daughter, Clara Jean Boyd, died in 1971.

Visitation is planned from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Rucker’s Mortuary, 12460 Van Nuys Blvd., in Pacoima, which is handling the arrangements. A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Greater Emmanuel Temple Church, 3740 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood. A graveside service is planned for 10 a.m. Monday at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall.