Howard "Mike" McClain

 

Howard Michael McClain ,78, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio passed away peacefully at home by his family October 17, 2023. He was born on January 8, 1945, in Ashland, Ohio, son of the late Howard Vincent and Betty L. McCrary McClain.

Howard graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in the class of 1964. He was a police officer for 2 years and then was drafted into the US Army where he served as a 101st Airborne Infantry. He served in Vietnam where he earned the three-star bronze medal, and the purple heart. He returned back home and returned to the police work where he worked for a total of 31 years on the police force. After retiring he worked as a Security Officer at Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. He was there for 13 years. He finally retired. He loved working with his brother at the Falls Hardware Store on the weekends, in Cuyahoga Falls.

Howard, known as “Mike”, is survived by his wife of 53 and a half years together, Sharon (Wheeler) McClain. They met while they both were in the military. They were married on May 2, 1970. They had 2 children, the late Thomas and daughter, Michelle McClain. The pride and joy, a grandson, Johnathon McClain, known as “J.T.”. Howard is survived by his brother John his wife Kathleen their daughter Kristina McClain; late sister, Cheryl McClain, sisters-in-law, Karen Wheeler of Orange, VA, Pat Atherton (Allen) of SC, Rosanne Flint (Jim) of Oxford, MA; brothers-in-law, Warren Wheeler (Marie) of SC, William Wheeler (Barbra) of Leominster, MA, John Wheeler (Valarie) of Warwick, RI, Brian Wheeler (Claudine) of Baldwinville, MA; and many cousins.

Howard (Mike) served his community well. He served as the 14th District Commander of the American Legion in 2008-2009 and 2016-2017, is currently the 2nd Vice Commander of the 14th District, Commander of the American Legion Post 281 of Cuyahoga Falls Charles Faust Post. Howard received an Honorary Member of the 40 and 8 after serving as the Grande d’Ohio Correspondent for over 10 years, a life member of the La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevauk 40 and 8 Grande Voiture Locale No. 468 Grand Vouture Du Ohio, life member of the American Legion Charles Faust Post 281 of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, VFW life member Post 3294, life member Vietnam Chapter 717, a 32 degree Mason and Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Ohio Star Lodge no. 187 of Cuyahoga Falls, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite Member. Chaplain of the Fraternal Order of Police of Cuyahoga Falls.

Howard loved people and enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing. Most of all he loved his family and the pride and joy his grandson JT. One of the things he said during his life is “I WANT TO BE A FRIEND TO ALL, ENEMY TO NONE.

There will be a visitation on Sunday October 22, 2023, from 2pm to 6pm at the Clifford Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221. A funeral service will also be at the Clifford Shoemaker Funeral Home at 11am on Monday, October 23,2023, with a burial immediately following at Chestnut Hill Memorial Park, 2613 Sackett Ave, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.