Shirley Raye Mays McCleary, of Clarion, passed away at the Golden Living Center in Clarion on Friday. She was 78 years of age.
Born on April 6, 1937, in Beaver Township, Clarion County, she was the daughter of the late John Walter, Sr. and Esther Irene (Sweitzer) Mays. Shirley graduated from Keystone High School in 1954 and then from Welck’s Business School in August 1954.
She married David Earl McCleary on July 8, 1955. He preceded her in death in 2012.
Shirley was employed by the Lake Erie, Franklin, and Clarion Railroad, and then was co-owner of Central Garage with David until June 30, 1999, at which time they semi-retired and worked with their son Tim until December 2007.
She was a former Elder and Deacon and active member of Women’s Association of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion.
She is survived by her children, Debra Hess of Clarion, Janet McCleary of Shippenville, Timothy McCleary and his longtime companion Margaret Bish of Clarion, and Allen McCleary and his wife Michelle of Waterford; her grandchildren, Cathy and Robert MacKinlay of Rimersburg, Brian Hess of Clarion, Julie Stehle of Clarion, Joshua Weckerly of Lexington Park MD, Danielle Weckerly of Summerville, Rebecca and David Hartzell of Shippenville, Nicole and Paul Smith of Clarion, and Lisa McCleary of Canada; and her great-grandchildren, Peyton, Cora and Ashton MacKinlay; Johnathan Peace, and Collin Hess; Kaelynn Stehle, Kyra, Katarina and Tim Craig; Zoey and Chloe Betts; Landon and Laken Smith; Trenton Hartzell; and Annalise Raye Weckerly; and many nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Whitling of Brookville, and her brother John W. Mays, Jr. and wife Lois of Kane, and her sister-in-law Marlene Mays of Knox.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a special sister-in-law Kathryn McCleary, sisters Ruth Reed, Maxine Peyton, and brother James Mays.
According to Shirley’s wishes, she was buried immediately.
Memorial donations may be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice (www.cfvna.org) or the Clarion Cancer Center.
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory in Clarion. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 700 Wood Street in Clarion, on Saturday, July 25, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Randy Evans, Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice Chaplain, officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to Goble Funeral Home.
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