Donald Ray McClain

DONALD McCLAIN

GRAFTON - Donald Ray McClain, 65, died at 2:14 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2019 at his residence, following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He was born on August 4, 1953 in Cape Girardeau, MO, one of six children born to Orvie Endes "Mac" and Beulah Lee (Daniel) McClain.

Don was raised in Jersey County and graduated with the class of 1971 from Jersey Community High School. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted with the United States Navy, serving our country in the Vietnam War.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Don returned home to Jersey County where he gained employment with Baughmann Manufacturing, later transferring to their facility in Brady, TX. It was while in Texas that he met Helene "Sissy" Moore and the two married on November 15, 1974 and together have shared many fond memories together throughout their 44 years of marriage.

After a few years in Texas, Don and Sissy returned to Jersey County and Don began his long and proud career as a self-employed carpenter, a trade he learned at a young age from his father.

Don was a true outdoorsman and was a member of the Free Trappers of Piasa Territory. He had a passion for both hunting and fishing as well as spending time out in his garage, restoring his 1968 Chevrolet Impala.

Surviving are his father, Mac McClain of Jerseyville; his wife, Sissy McClain of Grafton; a daughter and son in-law, Melanie and Rusty Wintjen of Kane; three grandchildren, Raeanne, Makenzie and Keira; a brother and sister in-law, Major Robert and Debbie McClain of Ennis, MT; three sisters and a brother in-law, Patricia and Jim Walkington of Meredosia; Vicki Sue Clark of Tower Hill; Lisa Dawn McClain of Jerseyville; as well as a sister in-law, Sally McClain of Orange, VA.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Beulah McClain on May 30, 2016; a brother, Paul Edward McClain;  as well as a brother in-law, James Clark.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until time of military honors at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

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