Ralph E. McLain
February 16, 1920 ~ July 5, 2004
Ralph E. McLain, 84, of Weirton, died Monday, July 5, 2004 at the Weirton Geriatric Center. Born February 16, 1920 in Big Flint, WV, he was the son of the late Joseph and Essie Doak McLain. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Pauline (Riggs) McLain on September 11, 2003; son Randolph E. McLain and sisters Elizabeth Stout and Barbara Bragg.
After 46 years of service, Ralph retired from Weirton Steel where he worked as a machinist. He was a member of the Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church in Weirton, Weirton Elks Lodge 1801, Weirton Lodge No. 171 A.F. & A.M., Osiris Temple, Weirton Chapter 147 Order of the Eastern Star, AARP, WSX 25-Year Club and the USS Mount McKinley Association. Ralph also served on the Board of Directors for the Strip Steel Federal Credit Union. During World War II, Ralph served in the Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley.
Ralph’s survivors include his daughter Barbara McLain Towles and her husband Charles of Rockville, MD; two grandchildren Sarah Towles-Fowler of Mesquite, TX and John Stokley Towles of Fullerton, CA; two great-grandchildren Samuel McLain Fowler and Susannah Corrine Fowler; and three nephews Douglas M., Michael J. and Stephen Bragg all of Oregon.
Friends will be received Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9PM and Thursday from 10 until the 11AM funeral services at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Reverend William Stout will officiate. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Weirton.
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com.
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
Dear Barbara and Family: Please accept our condolences on the loss of your father. I always saw him as a kind and gentle man. I am grateful to him because when our son Sammy was 6 years old he had an accident with his big wheel and your Dad was the one who scooped him up and brought him home. He and your Mom also were his first visitors when he was released from the hospital. I will always cherish that memory of them and their concern. And I still look up at their house expecting to see them sitting on their front porch dozing — our neighborhood was all the better because they were here. We will miss them. Josie Cekinovich
Dear McLain Family, I worked at Cattrell Motor and your Father was always one of my favorite people to wait on. He always told me of the trips to Vegas he and your Mother made. He was always kind to me and the office staff-a really nice man. You have my deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Gloria Suchko
Dear Barbara, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. We were children together and grew up on Denise Drive – I just wanted to reach out and send my personal condolance. Coralee (Rody) Powell