William M. Cleary

YOUNGSTOWN: William "Bill" M. Cleary, age 87, of Youngstown passed away Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Assumption Village in North Lima. Born July 27, 1925, he was the son of Leona and Timothy Cleary. Bill was a WWII Veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp where he was an airplane sheet metal technician. He retired from the East Ohio Gas Company where he worked as the Credit Manager. He was a member of St. Christine's Church for over 50 years. Bill was also a member of the Crazy 8's, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, was a Junior Achievement sponsor and mentor. He was an avid wood carver and he taught carving at the Ford Nature Center in Mill Creek Park; he also enjoyed painting, bicycling, working in the garden, and was a self-taught carpenter. He will be remembered for his loving and caring attitude, his love of nature, and his gentle disposition that endeared him to all that met him; most of all, his daughters will remember him as the most wonderful father ever, who had the uncanny ability to make each and every one of them feel as if they were his favorite daughter. Survivors include his daughters: Kathleen (Brian) Miller of High Falls, NY, Colleen Cleary of Vienna, Shawn (Rodney) Yanvari of Canfield, and Laura Cleary of Boardman; grandchildren: Holly Van Wagenen, Jesse Yanvari, Kelly Orr, Chelsea Miller, Jonathan Miller, Abby Lucas, and Sarah Pontuti; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters: Margaret (Paul) Miller of North Jackson, Mary Jane Gould of Springfield, MO., and Patricia (Kenneth) Williams of Columbiana. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Audrey (Vedernack) on June 2, 2007, and brother Johnny. Friends will be received at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel on Sunday from 4-6PM. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, September 24, 2012 at St. Christine's Church. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery.