Howard "Hap" McCleary

Howard R. “Hap” McCleary, age 84, of Aledo, IL, died Saturday October 23, 2021, at the Aledo Health and Rehab Center.  Private Graveside Services will be Tuesday October 26, 2021, in the Peniel Cemetery, Rural Joy, IL.   There is no visitation.  Friends may greet the family to celebrate his life with a luncheon and fellowship from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Tuesday at the Mercer County VFW Post 1571 in Aledo. A memorial fund will be established.   Fippinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences can be made fippingerfuneralhome.com

Hap was born February 23, 1937, in Ripley County Missouri to William and Margaret Volker McCleary.  He attended Venable Country School in Missouri and Olney Springs High School in Colorado.  On November 10, 1956, he married Wanda Sheese in Joy, Illinois.  She died October 29, 2014.

Hap farmed all his life in the Joy, Illinois area and he enjoyed golfing, listening to country music and being with his family.

Survivors include one daughter, Sherie (Dan) Keller of Muscatine, IA; two sons, Dennis McCleary of Aledo, David McCleary of Iowa City, IA; two granddaughters, Erica (Sam) Hoopes, of Muscatine, IA; Maggie Johnston, of Durant, IA; two great grandchildren; one brother, Curtis (Claudia) McCleary of Paris, MO; a special friend, Joan Miller of Aledo, several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife and three brothers, Richard, Gerald and Warren McCleary preceded him in death.