George G. McCleary (1876-1951)

MCCLEARY, TOMLINSON

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/13/2005 at 05:13:03

NEWSPAPER SOURCE AND DATE UNKNOWN - "George G. McCleary Services Held Tues. - George G. McCleary, son of John Wesley and Lavisa S. McCleary, was born on a farm northwest of Mitchellville, June 16, 1876, and passed away at the Iowa Lutheran hospital in Des Moines on Sunday, July 1, 1951, after about a two week's illness. He spent his early life on the farm and attended the Mitchellville High school. On November 24, 1899, he was united in marriage to Anna E. Tomlinson and to this union five children were born; Opal, Dorothy and Carroll. Vivian and one infant preceded him in death. The family moved to Kossuth county then returned to the farm northwest of Mitchellville and later moved to Mitchellville, where he resided the remainder of his life. He attended Capital City Commercial College and also took an engineering course at Highland Park College in Des Moines. He joined the Trullinger Grove Christian church and later he transferred his membership to the Mitchellville Christian church, where he served many offices and duties including the Sunday school superintendent, deacon, member of the church choir, chairman of the church board and as an elder being made an elder emeritus in 1948. He was a loyal and faithful member until his death. He was also a member of the Mitchellville Odd Fellow lodge. Mr. McCleary gave of himself with unselfish love and devotion to his family. Mr. and Mrs. McCleary had many years of happy married life, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on November 24, 1949. Mrs. McCleary preceded him in death on March 5, 1951. Mr. McCleary served the community in business and by carrying many civic responsibilities. From 1908 to around 1914, he was a partner with Ernest West in the hardware business. He helped organize the first commercial club in Mitchellville. For a period of nearly 30 years, he served as city water superintendent and gave invaluable aid in bringing needed improvements to the town. Among these were a city water system and electricity. He was town councilman from 1912 to 1916, city clerk and town marshal. One of his last large projects was the construction of the new addition to the town hall, for which he personally drew the plans, did all engineering and supervised the construction. Holding various offices in local government, brought opportunities to help many people in distress. On many occasions, he showed the kindly humanitarian spirit which was one of his outstanding characteristics. His interests extended beyond the community to county, state and national affairs. He was Democratic committeeman for Beaver township and acted as clerk on election day. For a number of terms, including some of the depression years, Mr. McCleary was a member of the board of education, a fact which testifies of his concern for the educational welfare of the community. As president of the board, he shared responsibilities which came when the new school building was being erected and many trying problems had to be solved. By giving long years of faithful service he made an outstanding contribution to the growth of the community and his passing means to the town the loss of a useful and respected citizen. He leaves to mourn his passing: a sister, Mrs. Myrtle Hay of Long Beach, Calif.; his daughters, Mrs. Opal Fraker and Dorothy McCleary of Mitchellville, and his son Carroll of Des Moines; four grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held July 3, 1951, at 1:30 p.m. at the Mitchellville Christian church conducted by the minister, John L. McCurdy. Music was furnished by Mrs. J. J. Stiffler and Mrs. w. R. Reynolds, accompanied at the organ by Mrs. George McNeil. Mrs. Tom Boothroy and Mrs. G. E. Pearson were in charge of the flowers. The pallbearers were Tom Boothroy, g. E. Pearson, Howard Stevenson, Ralph Stevenson, Wayne Taylor and Vinton Ward. Burial was in the Mitchellville cemetery. The Mitchellville Odd fellow lodge had charge of the graveside service."