Shirley Mae McClain

Shirley M McClain, a devoted, dedicated, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend gracefully passed away on October 26, 2024 at the age of 93. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She embraced life with unwavering love and selfless service to God, her husband, children, grandchildren, community, and her church, The Calvary Church in Springdale, Ohio.

Shirley was born on August 17, 1931, in Northside, Ohio. At the age of 19, she married Donald E. McClain and together they raised 5 children. Being a Charter Member of the Calvary Church beginning in 1968, she immersed herself in leading Children’s Ministry with Pastor Mary Alice Paslay, being a part of the church choir and a vital trailblazer in forming the Mary Martha’s handcrafting beautiful merchandise to be sold to contribute to the financing of building a church. Tithe and sacrificial offerings were her joy to give in support of the Calvary Church. Her time in service to the apostolic faith and mutual love for the Paslay’s for 50 plus years.

For the most part, she was a stay-at-home wife and mother. In 1979 she took a job at Graeter’s Ice Cream shop in Finneytown, Ohio where her smile and generous sprit spread throughout the community of Finneytown. Shirley was a hero to the faith; she lived a gracious servitude life basing it on the word of God.

Psalm 37:25
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Joshua 24:15
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Her life exemplified a walk of faith in God without hesitation. She was committed to see all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and furthermore in Heaven one day giving herself to consistent pray and fasting. She loved hard and therefore she was loved hard. Her stories of life’s adventures were based mainly on the times of serving others and her church, making people smile and laugh with her as she made the happenings come to life again.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Donald E. McClain, her son Michael McClain and his wife Alice McClain of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, her son Donald McClain and his wife Susan McClain of Cincinnati, Ohio, her daughter Donna Knepka and her husband George Knepka of Cincinnati, Ohio, her son Bruce McClain and his wife Melodie McClain of Cincinnati, Ohio, her daughter Linda Angus (McClain) of Cincinnati, Ohio. She also is lovingly remembered by 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Each of whom she lovingly adored.

Shirley’s homecoming is marked by the absence of those preceded before her, including her beloved parents Carl and Dorothy Diesslin, her brother Carl Jr. “Jr.” and Carolyn Diesslin, her sister Dottie and her husband Earl Miller, her brother Ronald Diesslin.

Memorial contributions in honor of Shirley to the Building Fund for The Calvary Church, 11970 Kenn Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 11:30am-12:30pm at The Calvary Church, 11970 Kenn Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231. A funeral service will follow at 12:30pm. Burial will take place at 2:30pm at the Arlington Memorial Gardens, 2145 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231.