John E. McCleary

John Edwin McCleary, 88, Red Wing, died Monday, June 22, 2009 at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park. He was born September 27, 1920 in Plum City, Wisconsin, the son of John and Bertha (Fieler) McCleary. He graduated from Plum City High School and attended the University of River Falls Agriculture Program. He began farming with his father in 1940 and eventually took over the farm. He married Elaine Metcalf on May 31, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. He retired from farming in 1977 and they moved to Red Wing. He worked part-time for Kmart and occasionally went back to the farm. He was a past member of the Ono Methodist Church. He enjoyed horses, farming, going to the cabin on Shell Lake after retiring.

Survivors include: two children, Roger (Carol) McCleary of Red Wing and Sandy (Alan) Klein of Plum City; two grandchildren: Douglas Klein and Eric (Amanda) Klein; one step-granddaughter, Sandi (Clint) McQuaters; two great-grandchildren, Amariah and Brayleigh Klein and two step-great-grandchildren, Breyer and Trace McQuaters. He was preceded in death by one sister, Marie Campbell and one brother, Gail McCleary.

Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with Dar Reeck officiating. A private family burial service will be at Ono Methodist Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com