Obituary

Gordon E. McCleary, 76, 435 E. Ninth, died Tuesday (Dec. 7, 1999) at Newton Medical Center.

He was born May 14, 1923, in Wichita to Emmitt Eugene and Sylvia Mae (Cunningham) McCleary. He married Pauline Houser June 10, 1949, in Wichita. She survives.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He received the good conduct medal and distinguished unit badge with one bronze oak leaf cluster. He served on the B-24 Liberator as an air operations specialist. The battles and campaigns he took part in were: Air Offensive Europe, Naples-Foggia, Rome Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, Rhineland, North Apennines, Po Valley and Air Combat Balkans. He was an accountant for the Veterans Administration following the war.

Other survivors include: 10 sons, Ronald D. McCleary and Gordon R. McCleary, both of Wichita, Russell A. McCleary, Steve A. McCleary, Shawn C. McCleary and Scott A. McCleary, all of Newton, David E. McCleary of Denver, Douglas A. McCleary of Colorado Springs, Colo., Donald W. McCleary of Anchorage, Alaska, and Dean E. McCleary of Derby; two daughters, Debra Stansifer of Sulphur, La., and Linda L. Rietcheck of Florence, Ky.; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sons, Dennis E. McCleary and Richard K. McCleary.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. Friends may call from until 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Petersen Funeral Home.
Memorials have been established with World War II Veteran's Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.

The Newton Kansan December 9, 1999