Westgate: John Elmer McClain age 85 passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Hillcrest Home in Sumner, IA. John was born October 9, 1929 the son of Elmer and Iren (Schmidt) McClain near Westgate. He attended and graduated from High School in Maynard, he served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a reservist for many years after active duty in the war. John was a 61 year member of the American Legion, Messerer-Fox Post 92 of Westgate. John was a lifelong farmer and lived on the family farm up until 2013 when he moved to Hillcrest Home for health reasons. John married Luella Timm February 19, 1956 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sumner and together they raised three children.

Survived by: his wife; Luella, two sons; Larry (Kathryn) McClain and Michael (Dianne) McClain both of Westgate, one daughter; Jean Richards of Fairbank, two grandchildren; Jessica (Nathan) Kelly and Joshua (Erika) Richards, two step-grandchildren; Brian and Kyle Smith, one great-grandchild; Riya Kelly, four brothers; Donald (Mary Lou) McClain and Alfred McClain both of Oelwein, Richard McClain of Peoria, IL and Paul (Karen) McClain of Vinton, four sisters; Shirley DeGrief of Vinton, Bonnie (Ron) Inman of Mason City and Dorothy (Bob) Gee of Marion, a sister-in-law; Caryl McClain, a brother-in-law; Lyle (Linda) Timm and a brother and sister-in-law, Walter & Elsie Schutt

Preceded by: his parents, a sister; Ruth Diercks, a brother; Robert McClain and a son-in-law; Jim Richards                                                                                                                                           

Services: 10:30 am Friday August 28, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sumner.

Visitation: 4:00-8:00 pm Thursday August 27 at the funeral home and on Friday for one hour before services at the church.

Military Rites conducted by: Westgate American Legion Messerer-Fox Post 92

Interment: Greenwood Cemetery, Westgate

Memorials: to the family