Robert B. McCleery
Robert B. McCleery, 82, of West Alexander, died unexpectedly at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2012, in his home.
He was born August 20, 1930, in West Finley Township, a son of the late Thomas Perry and Myrtle Margaret Campsey McCleery.
Mr. McCleery had been a resident of West Finley Township all his life and was a member of Claysville United Presbyterian Church.
He was a 1948 graduate of the former Claysville High School and briefly attended Penn State University.
Mr. McCleery had been a self-employed dairy farmer on the family farm established in 1922 and operated the dairy until 2002. He formerly was also a West Finley Township supervisor for 18 years. He was employed by Curtis Candy Co. as an artificial inseminator of livestock for 30 years and remained actively involved in the family farm operation until the time of his death.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving as a corporal with the U.S. Army.
Mr. McCleery was a member of West Alexander American Legion Post 656.
He was a founder and former coach of the women’s softball league in West Alexander and enjoyed playing dartball with the West Finley dartball team for more than 30 years.
On November 11, 1953, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Joyce Long, who died October 12, 1993.
Surviving are a son, Timothy, husband of Kay McCleery of West Alexander; three daughters, Deb, wife of Daniel Dougherty of Winston-Salem, N.C., Nan, wife of Bob Sekorky of Washington, and Jan, wife of Samuel McLaughlin of Mercersburg; a sister, Ada Ferree of Washington; five grandchildren, Dexter Thomas, James Robert Dougherty, Tracy Mosley and Elizabeth and Marcy McLaughlin; and six great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Karly and Garrett Dougherty, Lauren and Tyler Mosley and Gavin McCleery Thomas.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in West Alexander United Methodist Church, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 27, with the Rev. Daniel P. Grimes officiating. Interment will follow in West Alexander Cemetery. Graveside flag folding services will be conducted by representatives of the U.S. Army.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of choice. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences and flowers at www.rushfuneralhomeinc.com.