Hertha M. McLain

1917 - 2012

Hertha M. McLain, of 5341 Main St., went home to be with the Lord Sunday, June 24, 2012 at home, following an extensive time with a loving family during her days of weakness due to a stroke and aging.
She was born on Dec. 19, 1917, in Williamsport, Pa., the daughter of Leroy and Ivy Ray Dawson.
Hertha spent her early years in Williamsport, graduating from Williamsport High School. She later graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College, N. Chili, N.Y. in 1942, with a degree in Pastoral Ministry.
She had also lived in Sayre, Pa., Oneida, Syracuse, Binghamton and Canastota, before moving to Durhamville in 1983.
Hertha's most recent employment was with Oneida Limited in Sherrill, for fifteen years, retiring in 1983. She and her husband also owned and operated Stan's Lawn Service from 1983 until 1999.
She had been a member of the Churches of the Nazarene in Canastota and Utica/Westmoreland. She had been active in many church activities, serving faithfully for over 40 years as a pastor's wife in Nazarene Churches listed above, and in Johnstown, Apalachin and Free Methodist Churches in Williamsport, Sayre, Oneida, Syracuse and Binghamton. Hertha enjoyed teaching Sunday school, making crafts with children, sewing for persons in need, (wedding dresses, etc.) and spending time with her family.
She married the love of her life, the Rev. Stanley V. McLain, on Sept. 2, 1940, at the Free Methodist Church in Williamsport, Pa. Stan went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 7, 2002.
Surviving are three sons and a daughter-in-law, Stanley and Beatrice McLain of Oneida, Donald McLain of Cloverdale, Ind., and Larry V. "Chris" McLain of Tucson, Ariz.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Don Cope of Durhamville, and Linda and Gary Cole of Oneida; two sons-in-law, Ron Reynolds of Canastota, and Richard Bell of Apalachin, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Emily Dawson of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; 36 grandchildren, 95 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren (over 151 offspring), as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Hertha was predeceased by two daughters, Ivy Kay Reynolds and Rosalie Marie Bell; two grandchildren, Jason and Jeremy Reynolds; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Charles and Faye Dawson, Eugene Dawson, William and Caroline Dawson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Edna and Artis Signor, and Minnie and Louis Sellinger; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 28 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 3640 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota. Pastor Jeff Rogers, the Rev. Gerald Harris, and the Rev. Rex Bell, will officiate. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneida. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, June 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota, and on Thursday, June 28 from 10 -11 a.m. at the church, prior to the service. In her memory, contributions may be made to the Church of the Nazarene, 3640 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota, NY 13032, or to Living Hope Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 366, Westmoreland, NY 13490, with envelopes available at the funeral home and church.
J. HOMER BALL FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Canastota, NY
A Trust 100 Family Owned Funeral Home