Hertha M. McLain, of 5341 Main St., Durhamville, N.Y., went home to be with the Lord the 24th day of June, 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.
Article Photos
Hertha M. McLain
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 forty 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, nine 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, 11 a.m., the 28th day of June, 2012, at the Church of the Nazarene, 3640 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota. Pastor Jeff Rogers, Rev. Gerald Harris and Rev. Rex Bell, will officiate. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneida. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, June 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James St., Canastota, N.Y., and on Thursday, June 28, from 10 to 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.
