McLain, Earl Ray

Earl Ray McLain, 56, of Defiance, Ohio, and formerly of Cayuga, Ind., passed away at 1 p.m. EST Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at his residence in Defiance.

He was born Sept. 1, 1952, in Clinton, Ind., the son of the late Harold Gordon and Malissa Mildred Simpson McLain.

Survivors include his fiancé, Pepper Norgaar of Defiance; two daughters, Betty JoAnne (Jason) Taylor of St. Joseph and Malissa Sue McLain of Defiance; three sons, Jacob (Peggy Gosser) McLain and Seth McLain, both of Perrysville, Ind., and Zachery McLain of Danville; 13 grandchildren; three sisters, Delma (Gary) Rahm of Cayuga, Ind., Jo Ann Moore of Indianapolis and Lola E. McLain of Cayuga, Ind.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Blaze McLain, and a brother-in-law, Robert Moore.

Earl retired from General Motors on Jan. 1, 2006, after 38 ½ years of service. He was a member of the Cayuga Christian Church, UAW and AARP.

Earl graduated from North Vermillion High School in 1970. He was crazy about Harleys, old cars and trucks. Earl enjoyed fishing and hunting. His grandchildren meant everything to him and he enjoyed spending as much time as he could to be with them.

Funeral services: 2 p.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at DeVerter Funeral Home in Cayuga, Ind. The Rev. Jack Holycross will officiate. Burial will be in Coal Creek Cemetery south of Covington, Ind. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the Riley’s Hospital for Children, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Condolences: www.deverterfuneralhome.com.