Michael McClain

Michael Leroy “Mike” McClain, 68, of Platteville, formerly of Cassville, Potosi, and Webster, Wisconsin, was called home to the Lord on Thursday, April 28, 2016. He passed away unexpectedly at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Tennyson. Father Richard Leffler will officiate. Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Cornelia, WI, where military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Tennyson, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the Michael L. “Mike” McClain Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Mike was born on December 3, 1947 in Dubuque, IA, to Leroy Joseph and Marian Elizabeth (Bogue) McClain. He attended Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, where he graduated from in 1966.

After graduation, he entered the Army National Guard 133rd Infantry in Dubuque. He served in the National Guard for 6 years and received an Honorable Discharge in 1972.

Mike moved to Cassville, WI in 1973 when he purchased a farm there. While farming, he also worked full time at John Deere Dubuque Works. Mike enjoyed working on the farm, taking care of the animals, and planting crops.

Mike married Janice England on December 1, 1979 at Faith Lutheran Church in Lancaster, WI; and they lived together on the farm in Cassville until they moved with their family to Potosi in 1993. In 1999, Mike retired from John Deere, after 30 years, and the family moved to Webster, WI, on Bass Lake.

Mike worked various jobs early in his career, including: Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, IA; DISCO in Dubuque; and Mid-Continent Bottlers in Dubuque. While living in Webster, Mike worked for Hardware Hank and Webster Satellite & TV. In 2004, Mike & Janice moved back down to Platteville.

During the past 3 years, Mike drove school bus for the Platteville School District. He loved all the kids that rode his bus and took pride in being their “best bus driver.” He always looked forward to each new school year and getting to pick up and drop off the kids at school & home; he also enjoyed the many school, athletic, and extra-curricular trips he got to take the kids on.

In his spare time, Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to town for his morning coffee and cribbage games, talking with friends, working in the yard, and keeping everything meticulously neat and clean. He always made sure to plan a family vacation each summer to go fishing up north. He also looked forward, every year, to the family picnics and getting to spend time with his relatives. He was extremely proud of the life that he and Jan built and being blessed with three amazing children and seven grandchildren. He loved them all deeply and was always looking out for their well-being. His children and grandchildren were his greatest joy and he enjoyed every minute that he and Jan spent with them. He taught his children how to hunt, fish, look for morels, and many life skills and good work ethic; and he looked forward to doing the same with his grandchildren.

He always kept busy; as he could never just sit around. He was an extremely hard-working man and he enjoyed everything that he did and took pride in being able to help others. In a moment's notice he'd be right there for you, no questions asked.

Mike is survived by his wife, Janice of Platteville; their children, Tammy (Randy) Hampton of Glen Haven, WI; Randall (Karen) McClain of Kings Bay, GA; Jennifer McClain of Edgerton, WI; seven grandchildren, Lilyann McClain, Caden Hampton, Macy McClain, Danica Hampton, Colton McClain, Keira Hampton, and Maxim McClain; one sister-in-law and brother-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brother, Brian McClain, sister, Patricia “Patty” Hatley; very special aunts, uncles, and cousins; and mother-in-law; father-in-law, and a step-son.

The family wishes to thank the Southwest EMS and the doctors and nursing staff at Southwest Health Center in Platteville for their efforts and kind and caring assistance.