Gayle A. McClain
- September 24, 1943 - February 13, 2012
- Davis, Illinois
of Gayle's Passing
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“What a beautiful memmorial service. Gayle will be missed by so many. I always loved her darling little hats. Sympathy to John and Gayles whole family
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1 of 44 | Posted by: John and Marilyn Ludlum - Monroe, WI
“We vividly remember when we were graced by Gayle and John's decision to play golf at our course. Gayle's joyful nature was very noticable and...Read More »
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2 of 44 | Posted by: The Kriegers - Monroe, WI
“I golfed with Gayle on the many differant leagues,
she was always cheerful and a lot of fun. John & Gayle were on
a Sunday League with Wiz & I...Read More »
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3 of 44 | Posted by: Wiz & Bernadette Hannenam - WI
“Gayle we will miss you laughter out at Windy. Glad we had a chance to golf together on the Thursday Ladies League and with you and John on the...Read More »
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4 of 44 | Posted by: Geo and Dar Pisula - Monroe, WI
“Johnny, you brought Gayle into our lives over thirty-one years ago and now that God has called her back home, please know that I will miss her every,...Read More »
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5 of 44 | Posted by: Nancy - sister too
“We always looked forward to seeing Gayle out at Windy Acres. We always went straight to her for a hug. Even when she had fibromyalgia, she still...Read More »
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6 of 44 | Posted by: Becky Kaiser & Mike Hanneman - WI
“I only new Mrs. McClain for a short period of time through her son Matt. But she truly inspired me to always make God first, and to trust in him...Read More »
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7 of 44 | Posted by: Nadalyn Ray - LaGrange Park, IL
“I was drawn to Gayle by her warmth and spirit, who was so opposite of me, being outgoing to my quietness, so willing to be a part of Trinity's...Read More »
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8 of 44 | Posted by: Margie Meissen - Durand, IL
“I had just begun to get acquainted with Gayle via Garden Club and when the husbands and wives got together for lunch with the ping pong group. She...Read More »
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9 of 44 | Posted by: Gail Hunt
“Gayle and I were both Hospital Vouunteer Coordinators and attended professional AVA conventions in Chicagp and shared a hotel room at the
...Read More »
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10 of 44 | Posted by: Sue jacobek - Mchenry, IL
“Gayle, We will all miss you and the fun times we had together. Our kids and Mel and I loved to get together with you and John and the kids at all...Read More »
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11 of 44 | Posted by: Mary Mel and Family - Justice, IL
“Oh my, Gayle! I remember well, those hi school and college summers of waitressing at Howard Johnson's...and reconnecting a few years ago when you...Read More »
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12 of 44 | Posted by: Wendy C Sterne - WI
“we really only knew Gayle for about 2 years, but sometines I think God sends us people in our lives to strenghrhen us. Gayle was just that kind of...Read More »
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13 of 44 | Posted by: Pat & Vito Zotto - Davis, IL
“Gayle will truly be missed. She always had a smile on her face, and no matter what mood you were in, her smile brought a brighter mood and smile to...Read More »
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14 of 44 | Posted by: Dawn Hendon - Durand, IL
“WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST
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15 of 44 | Posted by: DAVE & JULIA & ALEXA BERES - WI
“My sympathy to Gayle's family and we will miss her.
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16 of 44 | Posted by: joan leyden - Naperville, IL
“Aunt Gayle you will be dearly missed. Your laughter and zest for life is something we can all learn from and carry on in our lives. Thank you for...Read More »
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17 of 44 | Posted by: Melissa McGowan - Lockport, IL
“Sorry it took me so long to write. We had a great summer together the year I retired. Golfing and gardening. She came and got some ferns from me. ...Read More »
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18 of 44 | Posted by: ETTA FUGATE - davis, IL - friend
“I have many memories of Gayle from our shared Church activities in Brookfield. We sang alto together in the chancel choir and were both active in...Read More »
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19 of 44 | Posted by: Melissa Garson - Sun City, AZ
“Don and I send our sympathy to Gayle's family - John, Tammy, Matt and their families. I first met Gayle when she pledged our sorority at Coe and she...Read More »
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20 of 44 | Posted by: Joan Vanden Noven - Beloit, WI
“It was my privilege to know Gayle for only a few short years, but she was an outstanding volunteer for SwedishAmerican Health System. As a former...Read More »
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21 of 44 | Posted by: Rev. Norm Shirk - Rockford, IL
“Went to the 50th class reunion and read some of her emails to the rest of us in the class. There were so many people there that I don't know if I saw...Read More »
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22 of 44 | Posted by: Michael Piche - Elgin, IL
“I became friends with Gayle, by first being a friend to her Mom,
Martha. I had the honor of doing the speaking at her memorial
and will always...Read More »
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23 of 44 | Posted by: Diane Jezek - Lyons, IL - Friend
“She has been that spark missing from our Gift Shop Manager's meetings, and now she will be that Angel in Heaven keeping us in line. We will miss her...Read More »
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24 of 44 | Posted by: Pam Koster. Manager CGH Medical Center Auxiliary Gift Shop - IL
“MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE McCLAIN FAMILY
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25 of 44 | Posted by: JERRY ABLIN - BUFFALO GROVE, IL
“We loved Gail very much. God bless her.
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26 of 44 | Posted by: Jim Lockhart - Longmont, CO
“From the moment that my husband and I met Gayle and John we instantly became friends and have remained close to them. Gayle was a great cook inviting...Read More »
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27 of 44 | Posted by: Marge Axelson - Davis, IL
“I will always remember our trip to California with Matt and my two sons. We left the husbands at home and sang our way out to the west coast, the...Read More »
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28 of 44 | Posted by: Cindy Schurig - Indian Head Park, IL
“Gayle,
You were one of the first people I met when I started golfing on Sundays.
I really sucked and you made it fun. You always had encouraging...Read More »
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29 of 44 | Posted by: jody and Tim Grossen - Monroe, WI
“So many memories come to mind this week as we remember Gayle and our 23 year friendship. We shared so much both professionally in volunteer...Read More »
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30 of 44 | Posted by: Patti and Steve Baltunis - IL
“I worked with Gayle on a Garden Club committee last year. I was so happy to see her at meetings due to her great sense of humor. She was so much fun....Read More »
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31 of 44 | Posted by: Larry McCoy - Davis, IL - friend
“Gayle was like a ray of sunshine. Her smile and laugh was contagious. We are grateful for times we spent together, and for the memories she gave us...Read More »
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32 of 44 | Posted by: Kathy, Harvey, Ben and Megan Wolf - IL
“What wonderful memories we have of the many, many conversations we shared filled with laughter. We remember fondly all the smiles and talks we...Read More »
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33 of 44 | Posted by: Jerry and Barb Lindvall - Davis, IL
“Gayle was a true ray of sunshine in my life. Her and John were always there to support me and always had time for a visit. As a Reflexologist I had...Read More »
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34 of 44 | Posted by: Lorraine Watson - Davis, IL
“In spite of Gayle’s health issues, she was her usual outgoing strong self at our 50th high school reunion this past September and was able to...Read More »
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35 of 44 | Posted by: Tom Vaughan - Chicago, IL
“You always had the best advice for me in the times when I needed them. You were always truthful and honest and I loved that about you. Whole...Read More »
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36 of 44 | Posted by: Kelly foster - Mokena, IL
“We knew Gayle from Windy Acres. She was always fun and in a great mood. She found out that I am a White Sox fan, and at the end of the season last...Read More »
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37 of 44 | Posted by: Tim, Mindy and Xander Obert - WI
“Having you as a part of our life was truly a honor. Your love of fun and laughter will always be inspirational. You will truly be missed.
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38 of 44 | Posted by: Dante and Brooke Elmer - Rockford, IL
“Having you as a part of our life was truly a honor. Your love of fun and laughter will always be a inspirational. You will truly be missed.
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39 of 44 | Posted by: Dante and Brooke Elmer - Rockford, IL
“Gayle was a very special and unique part of our Trinity family. She came upon us like a gentle breeze, gained momentum daily, and then like a gale...Read More »
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40 of 44 | Posted by: Judy Wilke - Durand, IL
“Thank you for being my sister
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41 of 44 | Posted by: June Hodes - Prince George, VA
“I loved Gayle from the moment I met her. She was always by my side: singing in the choir, serving on the women's board at Trinity and sharing the...Read More »
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42 of 44 | Posted by: Debbie Preston - Davis, IL
“Gayle,
You will be missed. Your laughter always was with us.
God Bless.
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43 of 44 | Posted by: margaret legut - brookfield, IL
“Mom I love you so much. You were a strong woman who was loved and cared by many. Your modesty and fun personality is what made you stand out from the...Read More »
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44 of 44 | Posted by: Matthew - Hickory Hills, IL - Son
Gayle died peacefully at home with her family at her side early on Monday morning, February 13, 2012. Daughter of the late Martin and Martha (Forst) Ewinger, born on September 24, 1943, in Oak Park, Illinois. Gayle was a graduate of Riverside Brookfield High School and received her teaching degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After leaving the teaching profession in 1982 she worked at four Chicago area hospitals in the volunteer departments and gift shop management. She worked for Heartland Hospice for a short time before retirement. She then volunteered at Who Haven and Swedish American Hospital. She loved gardening, golf, bowling, book club, puzzles, game night and most of all family gatherings. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Durand, Illinois, where she sang in the choir.
Survivors include her husband, John McClain; daughter, Tammy (Ken) Kulpa of Wilmington, Illinois; son, Matthew Irvin of Hickory Hills, Illinois; sister, June Ewinger Hodes of Prince George, Virginia; three grandchildren, Amanda, Daniel and Justin Kulpa of Wilmington, Illinois. She also leaves behind numerous extended family and friends.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, pastor and members of Trinity Lutheran Church and the many dear friends of the Lake Summerset area for all of their help, support and many prayers.
A Memorial Service for Gayle will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Durand, Illinois, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2012. In lieu of flowers she has requested memorials to be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, 15585 Durand Road, Durand, Illinois, 61024.
Cremation Society of Illinois assisted the family.

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