Susan McCain

Local health and wellness educator/yoginni Susan McCain went home November 23rd at St. Rita's Hospital Hospice Unit after an extended illness. Mrs. McCain was born in Lima, Ohio on September 21, 1950, the daughter of Herman and Elayne Wheelbarger. She graduated from Shawnee High School in 1968 and then lived for several years in Florida and Denver. After returning to Ohio she earned an Associate Degree in Fitness from Hocking College, a BA in Recreation Management from Bluffton College and an MA in Integrative Yoga Therapy from Antioch University. She was also a Certified Ayurvedic practitioner and a Reiki Master. Although she made it look easy, when she worked with her students and clients, her intimate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, the effect of emotions on the body, personal genetics and the individual's history and current condition went into her teaching and counseling. Mrs. McCain worked at the Lima YWCA and was Activities Director at the Lima Senior Center. She taught at Bluffton College, the University of Northwestern Ohio and Lima Memorial Hospital as well as teaching variety of special health and wellness classes throughout the Lima area. A life-long avid collector of antiques and vintage items for pleasure. She made many friends at the Auglaize Antique Mall and Casa Chic in Wapakoneta, Ohio. She was also a creative craftsperson having blessed many people with her handmade greeting cards and extraordinary scrapbooks. After becoming reacquainted at their 25th high school reunion, in 1993 John and Susan were married by Pastor Gary Hines at the Calvary Temple Assembly of God. She is survived by her beloved husband of 23 years John McCain, niece Traci Oaks, grand niece Rachael Oaks, grand nephew Ryan Oaks, sister-in-law Kathy McCain, sister-in-law Jayne McCain, brother-in-law Dana (Chris) McCain, sister Lynda Triplett and many, many friends & clients. Susan lived what she believed. She planted seeds of warmth, faith and compassion in many lives. Her kind-hearted smile, preparation for and engagement in teaching, endless devotion to the health and wellness of her clients, tireless work ethic, dependably faithful commitment to relationships with friends both old and new, and her uniquely contagious sense of humor will be fondly remembered and immeasurably missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Hospice unit at St. Rita's Hospital in Lima.