Josephine Bales McClain, 87 of Springfield, was born on January 14, 1927 in New York City to Joseph and Elvira (Guglielmelli) Perricone. She passed away on July 13, 2014.

She grew up in New York City and was a switch board operator, that is where she met her husband Jack Bales. After his passing she later met and married Bill McClain. She enjoyed dancing, crocheting, bowling, playing cards, visiting and spending time with family and friends. Josephine was also a nurses aide at Cox and St. John''s Hospitals.

Josephine is survived by her 7 children, Janis (Michael) McGill, Barbara (Dan) Frederick, Debbie (Gary) Glenn, Denise (David) Raines, Cathy (Gene) Young, John (Cathy) Bales and Vera (Scott) Gibbons; 30 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; brother, George (Nancy) Perricone; sister-in-laws, Mary Jo Hixon and Marilyn McDevitt; nephews, Joey Perricone, Howard Murphy Sharp and Mike McDevitt; niece, Tammy Sharp and a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 husbands, Jack Bales and Bill McClain, brother, Alfred Perricone and nephew, Georgie Perricone.

Donations may be made in honor of Josephine to an organization of your choice.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2014 from 6:00 till 8:00 PM in Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W State Hwy EE (Division), Springfield, MO. Service will be held on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 2:00 PM in the funeral home. Burial will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.