Edward John Cleary Jr.

EDWARD JOHN CLEARY, JR. Edward John Cleary formerly of Mt. Carmel and Olney, Illinois, passed away on January 27, 2015, at the V.A. Hospital in Tampa, Florida, with family by his side. He moved to Tampa in 2008. Born on May 24, 1930, to Edward John and Clara (Trapp) Cleary in Mt. Carmel, he attended St. Mary's Catholic School and Mt. Carmel High School, and was member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Olney, volunteering at the food bank. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved his Illinois Basketball Teams. Ed served in the National Guard and in the Army in Korea 1952-1953 with the rank of Sgt. 1st Class. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW and Outpost Harry Survivor/Korean War. Ed was Owner/Operator of Cleary Oil Well Perforating in Olney, Illinois until his retirement. He is survived by sisters, Anne Cleary of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kathie Cleary (Jack) Ruschmeier of Tampa, Florida, several nieces and nephews and one special niece, Mary Cleary of Chicago, Illinois He is also survived by his friend, Dorothy Stuart of Robinson, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Richard, Joseph, Lawrence & James and sister, Barbara Cleary Nelson, and his dog/ best friend, Sport. Loved as a son, best friend, beloved brother and uncle, he will be missed by his family and friends. Burial will be held at a later date in Mt. Carmel, Illinois with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church, internment in St. Mary's Cemetery.