David Earl McCleary of Clarion died on September 27 in his home. He was 76 years old.

He was born on June 26, 1936 in Miola, a son of Clarence and Lucille (Yonkers) McCleary. He attended Clarion Area Schools and graduated from Clarion High School. He married Shirley Raye Mays in 1955 and she survives. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion.

For more than 40 years, Dave owned and operated the Central Garage in Clarion. He was an active member of the Clarion Moose Lodge, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Clarion Eagles. Dave was an avid bowler for many years, and enjoyed playing Texas Hold ‘Em poker at local clubs and he enjoyed his trips to the casinos.

In addition to his wife, Dave is survived by two sons, Timothy McCleary and his long time companion Margaret Bish of Clarion, and D. Allen McCleary and his wife Michelle of Waterford PA; two daughters, Debra Hess of Clarion and Janet McCleary of Shippenville. He is also survived by a brother, James McCleary of Miola, and a sister Lorna Wood of Strattanville.

Dave’s grandchildren are Cathy and Robert MacKinlay of Rimersburg, Julie Stehle of Clarion, Brian Hess of Clarion, Joshua Weckerly of Lexington Park MD, Danielle Weckerly of Summerville, Rebecca and David Hartzell of Shippenville, Nicole and Paul Smith of Clarion, Lisa McCleary of Canada, Jason Shank of Waterford PA, and David Wheeler III who preceded him in death. His great-grandchildren are Peyton, Cora and Ashton MacKinlay, Collin Hess, Johnathan Peace, Kaelynn Stehle, Kyra, Katarina and Timothy Craig, Trenton Hartzell, Zoey and Chloe Betts, and Landon and Laken Smith.

In addition to his parents and grandson, Dave was preceded in death by two brothers, Russell and Richard and two sisters, Helen Rader and Jean Coachman.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Sunday at the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory at 330 Wood Street in Clarion. Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion with the Rev. Scott Hauser officiating. Interment was held in the Clarion Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to either Charitable Deeds, or to the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurse Association.

Friends and family may leave online condolences, share memories, and obtain additional information by visiting the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory website at www.goblefh.net.