Meri C. "Cathy" McClain

Meri Cathlene “Cathy” McClain, 76, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Cathy was born on April 19, 1949, in Borger, Texas, the daughter of Bill and Frankie (Gooch) McClain. She grew up in the Borger and Texas panhandle area and attended local schools. She moved to Russell, Kansas in 1978 and was united in marriage to Dwane Leroy McClain on October 12, 1999, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. From this union they raised 5 children Jesse, Billy, Gary, David and Mary. For many years she worked as a bank teller at Sunflower Bank and later she worked for Sunset Apartments for several years. She was a longtime member of Otterbein Church and attended the First Congregational Church both of Russell, Kansas. She also was a member of Sam Club RV Association and the Zeta Mu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in Russell. She enjoyed participating in Pioneer Days, yard work, flower planting, RV camping and being involved in RV camping groups. She was a very active member in the community and family, and friends will always remember her bright smile, caring nature and warm heart.

Surviving family include her brother Lee Gooch (Sonya) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister Amy Heaton (Michael) of Russell, Kansas; stepsons Gary McClain (Diana) of Overland Park, Kansas and David McClain (Lorraine) of Abilene, Kansas; 3 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dwane on July 09, 2015, sons Jesse and Billy Smith, stepbrother James Gooch and stepsister Patricia Parrett, stepdaughter Mary McClain

Cremation was selected by the family. A memorial to celebrate Cathy’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the First Congregational Church in Russell, Kansas. A graveside service will be at 2 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand Center Cemetery north of Waldo, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday, October 13, 2025, with family greeting guests from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday evening at the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.