Olen E Cleeton

PEKIN ~ Olen Eugene "Gene" Cleeton, 76 of Tremont passed away at 7:57 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2012 at his home.

Born September 21, 1935 in Winigan, MO to Olen "Mike" and Jeanette (Mitchell) Cleeton, he married Susan LeRoy on December 4, 1961 in Springfield.  She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Wesley Cleeton of Elmhurst; one daughter, Michele Cleeton of Dunlap; five grandchildren, Matthew Cleeton, Nicole Cleeton, Haley Cleeton, all of Elmhurst, Connor Cleeton and Kennedy Cleeton, both of Dunlap; one brother, Floyd (Cheryl) Cleeton of Bloomington and one sister, Mary Jane (Dennis) Gallagher of Rockford.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

He was of the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst.

Gene was a member of the United States Army, serving in Germany.

He worked for the U.S. Government Defense Department in the Defense Contract Audit Agency in Chicago for 33 years, retiring in 1995.

Gene was a member of the Pi Omega Pi fraternity; Pekin Moose Family Center #916; AMVETS Peoria Post #64; the Elks Lodge No. 20 in Peoria; a former member of the Elmhurst Jaycees and a current Treasurer for Rankin School District 98.

He was an avid hiker and a marathon runner.  Gene had previously run 13 marathons in one year and had qualified for the Boston Marathon.  He also loved to do yard work and gardening.  He enjoyed music and birds, particularly eagles.  He was a die hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Robert Short will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society, 4234 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61604 or to OSF Hospice, 2265 W. Altorfer Dr., Peoria, IL 61615.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com