McClain - David
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana March 14, 1930
David McClain died at the home of his daughter, Mr. George Slavens, about eight o'clock on Friday night. Over a year previously he suffered a paralytic stroke while working in a corn field he had on the Milligan place. Effects seemingly passed off but a week before his death he suffered another light attack. He was downtown twice on the day of his death and was able to eat his supper and undress himself before retiring. A few moments after doing so, he passed away. A short funeral service was held at the home at one on Sunday afternoon in charge of Rev. J. C. Nelson. Mrs. Edith Rice and Miss Virginia Moore, with Mr. Walker at the piano, sang, Whispering Hope, Beautiful Isle of Somewhere and Land of the Unsetting Sun. At two o'clock a service was held at the Mt. Moriah Church near Hollandsburg in charge of Rev. Cornelius Airhart. A quartet consisting of Rev. and Mrs. Airhart, Frank Wilkinson and Mrs. Sue Whittington sang, "How Firm a Foundation", "Shall We Meet' and "There Will Be No Shadows There." The pall-bearers were the four brothers: Jacob, Gilbert, Frank and Alex and two nephews, Everett and Alonzo McClain. The flowers were carried by Misses Lenore Noblitt, Cozette McClain, Mary Fordice, Marcenia Smiley, Helen McClain, Mrs. Naomi Cox and Mrs. Wanetha Bannon. Burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
The following obituary was read: "David McClain was born near Bellmore, Parke County, September 24, 1854, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Slavens, in Waveland. "He was one of the 14 children born to the union of Morgan and Mary Jane McClain. All his life except the seven years he spent in Iowa, he lived in Parke and Montgomery Counties. "September 24, 1874, he married to Sarah E. Blake with whom he lived in the happy bonds of love until she answered the voice of Jesus, March 15, 1925. Five years later on Friday evening, March 7, he, too was called to the beautiful home to rest. To brighten and bless this home one daughter, Stella May was born. She has shown an unfaltering devotion for father, making her home his home, doing all she could to make his life a pleasant one. May 1, 1909, he united his faith with the Predistinarion Baptist Church with which he continued in steadfast faith to the end. He often expressed in these last few months that when his time came to go to his Savior he was ready to go. Let us be glad he met his other home without torture and suffering for suddenly the angel of death entered the room, embraced him and kissed the eye lids down. "He was an active member of I. O. O. F., having joined over 41 years ago. He was a man of unusual mental capacity; taking a great interest in all events. He was a great reader of books and a kindly critic. All through his life he manifested a beautiful and unselfish disposition, this being shown by his greeting all with a kind and gracious smile The door stood open to receive the ministers of the gospel and to contribute to their wants. Those inside the Church and those outside the Church knew Brother McClain only to admire and respect him. He leaves to mourn his loss a devoted daughter, Stella May, a son-in-law, George Slavens, 4 brothers, Alex, Jacob and Gilbert of Milligan and Frank of Waveland, a host of relatives and friends.
Blessed are the dead that die in Lord,
they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.
Sun and evening star
And one clear call for me
And may there be on moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep
Too full for sound or foam
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell
And after that the dark
And may there be no sadness of farewell
Only happiness of your mark.