Joe Wayne McCain

1952 - 2026

Joe Wayne McCain, age 73, of Greenfield, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at IU Health University Hospital. He was born in Logansport, IN on March 31, 1952, to Dean Wingard and Adriene B. (Mullin) McCain. Joe graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1970. He received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Purdue University in 1974. Joe then went on to get his Master's Degree in Education from Purdue University in 1975. He married Paula J. (Rowe) on August 16, 1975, in Hammond, Indiana.

Joe was a beloved Agriculture Teacher for Greenfield-Central High for 41 years before retiring in June of 2016. He was a mission partner of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church and a member of the Men's Bible Study. Joe was a very involved teacher as an FFA Advisor, Young Farmer Chapter Advisor, 4-H Leader, and a Greenhouse founder and educator. He enjoyed collecting farm toy tractors and implements and raising farm animals and housing animals for his 4-H and FFA members. Joe was a Third Degree Mason with the Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge in Camden, IN and Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Alumni at Purdue University.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Paula McCain; sons, Jon W. (Kristin) McCain of Lawrence, IN and David M. (Myra) McCain of Fort Wayne, IN; four grandchildren, Ruby, Blake, Evelyn, and Violet; and sister, Marilyn Nance of Flora, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean Wingard and Adriene B. McCain; and brother, Donald D. McCain.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. 600 W., New Palestine, IN 46163. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church with viewing 1 hour prior to the service. Pastor Mark Havel and Pastor Cogan Blackmon will be officiating.

If you'd rather send a memorial contribution than send flowers, they can be made by mail to the Cross of Grace Lutheran Church c/o Joe McCain Fund, 3519 S. 600 W., New Palestine, IN 46163, or to the Greenfield-Central FFA Chapter, 810 N. Broadway St., Greenfield, IN 46140, or to the Indiana FFA Foundation, P.O. Box 9, 6595 S. 125 W., Trafalgar, IN 46181, or by website at https://www.inffa.org/give. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.