Obituary of Elwood Elton McClain
Age 90, of Otter Lake, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Stonegate Health Campus in Lapeer. A funeral service will take place at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services. Elwood’s family will be present to receive friends from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be considered to the Gordon R. Bennett VFW #1452 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS, 66675. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Elwood’s tribute wall at martinfuneralhome.com.
Elwood was born in Pine Run on October 4, 1932, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Agnes (Ross) McClain. Growing up in Mt. Morris, Elwood was the youngest of eight children. In December 1952, Corporal McClain was drafted into the United States Army, serving in the Korean War as a tank commander with Company B 70th Tank Battalion, until his honorable discharge in November of 1954. Upon his return to the States, Elwood went to work for General Motors where he was a spot welder for Buick, among other jobs, until his retirement in 1996, after 42 faithful years. Elwood married the love of his life, Janet Betz, on July 23, 1955. Sadly, she preceded him in death on April 4, 2021. Elwood loved to travel and even drove to see his sisters in Alaska a couple of times. When asked how many miles it was to drive, he simply said, I had to have three oil changes. Working in his vegetable garden was one of his favorite pastimes. He had a cabin in Glennie that he enjoyed spending much time hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and his beloved Westerns. Elwood loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish Elwood’s memory are his children: Terry (Kathy) McClain, Cheryl (Terry) Nelson, Ted McClain, Tony (Jody) McClain, Cathy (Joe) Giddings; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law.
Elwood was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Janet; his parents; and seven siblings.