Cleone M. McLain

McLAIN – Mrs. Cleone (Durham) McLain, aged 81, went to her eternal home on Saturday, October 17, 2015 in Wyoming, MI where she was reunited with her loving husband of fifty years, Harry W. McLain. She was preceded in death by her parents, Effie Kelly and Russell Durham. She will be dearly missed by her four children, Jeff (Kathleen) McLain, Michelle (Raymond) Herring, Thomas (Ruby) McLain, Maureen (Nicholas) Palazzola along with 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Charlotte Phillips; brothers, Tom (Sally) VanGessel, Richard VanGessel and Lyle Durham; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Cleone was born on September 1, 1934 and graduated from South High School in 1952. She was a bank teller at Old Kent Bank before becoming a bookkeeper at Patterson, McPhillamy and Fritz and retired from there in 1977. Caring for and spending time with her family was a priority and she freely gave her help without being asked. Funeral Services for Cleone will be held Wednesday at 11:00 am at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Chapel (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo SE. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends and relatives may meet with the family at the funeral home on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Faith Hospice.

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October 20, 2015

Aunt Cleone always shared her strength wisdom and kindness with me. I always knew she was just a phone call away and would be happy to talk. I can still talk with her through Christ. My special cousins and all of Aunt Cleone's loved ones are in my heart and in my prayers.

- Gale Mello

October 17, 2015

Rich Denise VanGessel 5/13/14 to me GOD SMILING AT ME written by Denise Sorensen-VanGessel I’ve found a place where I can be free. I’ve found a whole new beginning just made for me. I know only peace and I never feel pain. Days are full of sunshine and never the rain. I’m no longer old, I’ve recovered my youth, And all of my dreams have become the truth. I can smile. I can laugh. I can walk. I can run. I can hear every whisper. I can see past the sun. My body is whole and my mind is clear. I know all the answers and I’m free of all fear. I know why you mourn me, I see how you weep. Your heart’s full of aching from a love that is deep. And I’m grateful for loved ones who hold me so dear, But remember, I’ve found a better place here. I will be there beside you always nearby, So don’t mourn me too long, nor forever cry. And whenever your sorrow bears down on your heart, Think not of my ending, but of my new start. For on earth there’s no joy that I’d ever see, To compare to the joy of God smiling at me.

- Denise VanGessel