R. Lavere Mccleary

LaVere McCleary passed away on July 23, 2022 at The Willows Assisted Living in Stuart, Iowa. Family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 28, 2022 at the Penn Center Methodist Church, with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Penn Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Unity Point Hospice or the Penn Center Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at caldwellparrish.com. LaVere was born at home, south of Penn Center, to Esther and Millard McCleary on September 29, 1924, and lived in Madison County most of his life, with the exception of one year in Fontanelle. He attended grade school at Penn #5, Penn #6 and Fontanelle. Their family then moved to Stuart where he attended grades 7-12 in public school, graduating in 1942. One of his favorite things was playing the trumpet, and he was very involved in musical activities. His appreciation of music carried into his adult years where he volunteered to drive the Earlham High School Jazz Band bus to different competitions across Iowa, and he continued to speak very fondly of those experiences throughout his life. As World War II developed, he was given a health deferment to contribute support to the military effort through farming at home – a career that would be lifelong. He also showed a talent for machinery and automotive repair, and operated a repair business. It has been said that he could fix anything. LaVere married Marcella Morford on Feb. 27, 1949, and they were blessed to reach their 65th anniversary of marriage. They were both lifelong members of the Penn Center Methodist Church. They were parents of three children: Philip (Mary Lou), Jeanie (Dave Koch) and Judy (Larry Einuis) and numerous grandchildren as well as great grandchildren. LaVere was preceded in death by Marcella. LaVere’s lifelong sources of joy were his family and farming. After his retirement and move to assisted living, it brought him great pride to know the family farm would continue to be farmed by his grandson. Reading and learning held great importance throughout his life. Although he didn't attend college, many of his skills were self-taught and some surpassed what he could have learned from higher education. He was President of the Earlham Elevator Board for 8 years in the 70’s and was a Sunday School Teacher and member of the administrative board at Penn Center Methodist Church. He also developed strong relationships with his neighbors and fellow church members. He was always willing to sit on the porch and visit about family, give advice on how to fix a combine, or talk about how high the corn was. He was a trusted friend to many who respected his strong character and constant presence. Many of his most admirable qualities can be seen in his three children, something that made him very proud.