Emory "John" McClain, 81, of Nokomis, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at his home.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home in Pana.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Nokomis Cemetery, with graveside military rites by the Pana Veterans Honor Guard.
Mr. McClain was born May 1, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, MO, to the late Doris "Emory" and Mary Ellen (Shelton) McClain. He married Margaret E. Brown on Aug. 8, 1960, in Henderson, KY, and she preceded him in death on June 18, 2016.
A graduate of Nokomis High School, he served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He lived most of his life in Nokomis and was a member of the Nokomis Masonic Lodge.
The owner and operator of McClain T.V. and Radio Shop in Nokomis, he also owned the Nokomis Bowling Alley, four car washes and was a sexton/grave digger for Nokomis Cemetery Association for 13 years. He worked for the postal service for 24 years and was a past auxiliary police officer.
It can be said from his many occupations that work was his hobby. He always had his hands in something, even after retirement. In his younger days, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and later in life, it was road trip vacations with his wife and family. He enjoyed going to the casinos and was always known for having a humorous side.
He is survived by his two sons, Daniel Eugene (Debbie) McClain of St. Louis, MO, and Scott Emory (Lynn) McClain of Nokomis; grandchildren, Justin, Jamie, Jessica, Angelique, Jacob and Andrew; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Vivian, Tabitha, Carson, Bryson, Fisher and Lola;and sisters, Mary Ann Carroll and Cynthia Hayes, both of Nokomis.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Jonathon Randolph McClain and two siblings in childhood.
Memorials may be made to Montgomery County Cancer Association, 19 Circle Drive, Litchfield, IL 62056, or donor's choice, and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left at www.mdfh.com.
