Forrest Donovan “Don” McCleary

Forrest Donovan McCleary, age 91, known as Don, of Weldon, Iowa, passed away August 22, 2022, at VA Central Iowa Health Care System, Des Moines, Iowa. He was born November 3, 1930, in Green Bay Township of Clarke County, Iowa, to Basil, known as “Dick” and Neta (Fisher) McCleary.

Don married Rose Ann Popken on March 1, 1953, at the Smyrna Friends Church north of Weldon, Iowa. They were blessed with six children, David, Richard, Julie, Donald, Bob, and Paul.

Don attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from high school in Osceola, Iowa. He started working at a very early age. He was inducted into the United States Army on January 3, 1955, and served at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, Fort Carson, Colorado, Camp Roberts, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington. He worked for several people in Clarke, Decatur, and Polk Counties. He also worked at Mateer John Deere Dealership in Osceola and retired from the McGahuey John Deere Dealership in Leon, Iowa.

Don served on the Weldon City Council for several years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, David McCleary; son, Richard McCleary; daughter, Julie McCleary; and brother, John McCleary.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Ann McCleary of Weldon; sons and wives, Donnie & Sue of Leon, Bob & Kim of Newton, Iowa, and Paul & Sheri of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Nathan, Tasha, Cody, and Dalton; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Martha & Larry O’Neall of Osceola; brothers, Max & Bertina McCleary of Urbandale, Iowa and Monty & Pauline McCleary of Murray, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date. Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.