Charles E. McClain

Charles E. McClain,86, of Las Cruces NM, passed away April 6, 2025. He was born November 11, 1938 to Ronald McClain and Marjorie Bird McClain in Mansfield, Ohio. 

Charlie was activated with the Air National Guard during the Berlin Crises. He worked for Miami Systems Shelby Business forms and retired from them in the year 2000 after 39 years of service. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church of Shelby, an Exhausted Rooster with the Shelby Jaycees, Treasurer for Scout troop 406, and treasurer of North American Region Lutheran Marriage Encounter for several years.  Charlie was an avid RVer and camper who could build a great campfire even if the wood was wet. He was well known for his roasted Trash Can Turkey. He enjoyed gardening; and the family enjoyed all the fresh produce.

Charlie was the mechanic who kept our vehicles running, and all-around Handy Man who converted the unfinished second story of our home into bedrooms for his two sons, changed the basement to a paneled family room complete with a half bath. He was loved more than his accomplishments. He was not a big conservationist, but friends & family responded to his dry humor. He really liked auction sales and antiquing as was proven by his collections of antique clocks, iron nutcrackers, & beer steins.

Charlie's collection of many Dickens Village lighted houses including ceramic people, gates, bridges, stone walls and an ice-skating pond, brick roads with streetlights, an electric train and accompanying depot with lots of snow and evergreen trees to complete the scene. He enjoyed playing cards with family & friends, making jigsaw puzzles, solving sudoku, and finishing crosswords.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Karin Fitzgerald McClain, Son Everette McClain Of Shelby OH; Son Eric McClain & daughter-in-law Kate McClain of Craig CO. & Venice FL; granddaughters Lindsey McClain of Shelby OH; and Sarah Stephens of Mansfield OH; Great grandchildren Malachi Carpenter, Rhylynne Weber, Mikylah Stephens and Devante Stephens. Sister Loretta Strong of Little Hocking OH; brothers Ronald McClain (Mary) of Perrysville, OH; Larry McClain (Shirley)of Mansfield OH; Douglas McClain (Penny) of Spring Branch TX.

The family has chosen to do a private Memorial Gathering. In lieu of flowerers please donate to any Alzheimer’s organization.