O’FALLON, IL
Bernie Lee “Mac” McCleery, age 83, of O’Fallon, Ill., born July 30, 1937 in Franklin, Ind., died March 5, 2021 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Ill.
Mac grew up in Nineveh, Ind. He served a short time in the Navy before enlisting in the US Air Force. A proud Patriot and veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, he was a Flight Steward assigned to the Joint Chief of Staff crew, and retired in 1975 from Scott AFB, Ill. As part of the crew that transported and supported the USO tours, he was pleased to be recognized by name in the book Five Women I Love: Bob Hope’s Vietnam Story, which highlighted the USO missions during Christmas 1964. For years, he maintained a beautiful vegetable garden, enjoyed woodworking and had a knack for inventing creative items.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.wfh-ofallon.com. Memorial donations are suggested to the USO of Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Lou, nee Horton, McCleery, who died in 1971; his parents Everett and Lula Mae, nee McCoy, McCleery Swift; his sister Bonnie Smith; and granddaughter Kimberly Ann McCleery.
Surviving are his sons Jeffrey McCleery of Loveland, Colo., Paul (Jeanne) McCleery of Lebanon, Ill., and William McCleery of O’Fallon, Ill.; grandchildren Brenda Simpson, Lucas McCleery, Savannah Lugge, Julia Osborne, and Connor McCleery; eleven great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.
A public visitation will be 6 – 8 pm, Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O’Fallon, Illinois.
A Graveside Service with military honors will be at 2 pm (EST), Friday, March 12, 2021 at Gater Cemetery, near Little York, Washington County, Indiana.
