Bob Franklin McClain

Bob Franklin McClain was born in Ishmael, Missouri to Ralph and Nellie, nee Beers, McClain on March 20, 1936. Bob departed this life to go to his heavenly home on December 11, 2020 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

Bob was a Christian who accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was a young man at Joseph Chapel Church and later rededicated his life at Huzzah Baptist Church where he became a member and was baptized by Brother Moreland in the Huzzah River.

He was a graduate of Valley High School and served honorably in the U.S. Army for two years and three months spending two of those years stationed in Germany. On December 26, 1959, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Bonnie Fern Haffer. Bob and Fern were a team, no one ever said Bob or Fern, and it was always Bob and Fern. They were together whether it was doing chores, cutting grass or just having fun. They attended church regularly when weather and health permitted. They loved to travel and had so much fun going to a few states each year accomplishing all fifty states throughout the years.

Bob liked nothing better than going on fishing trips with his nephew, David McClain. They would snag spoonbill fish and always had many stories to tell. Also, Bob and Fern loved going to their cabin on the McClain farm. Bob enjoyed deer hunting with his brothers and nephews along with their family dinners and the opening day breakfasts before hunting.

Bob had a great love for his wife, family and loved Fern’s family as his own. He has left a big hole in all of their lives. He was the oldest of 10 children with everyone looking up to him for guidance and he would always be ready to lend a helping hand or words of wisdom. He will deeply missed by his family and all who loved him.

Bob leaves to mourn, his loving and devoted wife and soul mate of 61 years, Bonnie Fern McClain, nee Haffer. He also leaves four brothers, Eugene (Sharon) McClain, Bill (Helen) McClain, Lindell McClain all of Potosi, MO and Dennis McClain of Steelville, MO; three sisters, Gladys Phillips of Union, MO, Nancy Brown of St. Clair, MO and Jane (Lowell) McMillen of Caledonia, MO; a very special aunt, Edith Beers Birmingham of Desoto, MO; many nieces and nephews who loved and respected him; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruth Haffer Thomas of St. Louis, MO and Mary Haffer of St. James, MO and Floyd “Bud” Haffer of St. James, MO; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Nellie McClain; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Ida Matchell Haffer; two brothers, James (Connie) McClain and Curtis McClain; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Ray Taylor, Don Phillips and Harry Brown, Archie (Janie) Haffer, Claude (Marple) Haffer, Raymond Haffer, Vivian McClain, Gladys (Harold) Hammond, Hallie (George) McConnell, Melba (John) Doss, Wynetta Haffer, Ruby (Bill) Barman and Lucille (Kenneth) Jennings.

The Family received friends from 10:00 a.m. until Noon on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 with Rev. Andy Keyman officiating. Special music of "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" was sung by Amanda Keyman. Other music of "Wayfairing Stranger " was sung by Norma Taylor.

Committal prayer and interment with full military honors from the U.S. Army and VFW were in the Haffer Cemetery, Steelville, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Allen McClain, David McClain, Chris McClain, Lucas McClain, Austin Haffer, Willie Haffer and Floyd "Buddy" Haffer, Jr.

The McClain Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

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