Irvin McCleary

Irvin Benedict McCleary Jr. passed away April 10, 2012 at the Shook Home, Chambersburg, PA. Irvin was born in Waynesboro on April 21st 1921 to father, Irvin B. McCleary Sr. and mother, Susan Alice Shorb McCleary. He had an older sister, Jane Alvilda McCleary-Sizemore. He resided in the Waynesboro area until 2011 when due to health conditions he and his wife Gene moved to The Shook Home in Chambersburg. Irvin graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1939 and attended Shippensburg State Teachers College. He married Gene Minerva Beahm on January 14, 1945 , and they have two sons, Irvin B. McCleary III and Dale E. McCleary. For over thirty years, Irvin was a part-time professional musician, playing with many regional bands, most notably the Bob Carpenter Combo. A life- long member of Trinity United Church of Christ, he served on Consistory for sixteen years, of which he was Chairman for two. He was also Treasurer for three years, Deacon for four years and Financial Secretary for four. Irvin retired from Landis Machine in 1987 after forty-six years of employment and was the supervisor of the General Accounting Office for thirty of those years.
During his life he was involved in many community and social organizations. He was a Free Mason at the Acacia Lodge #586 since 1959; a member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #731 since 1943; a member of the Eagles Club Inc., and a life -long member of the A.T.H. &L. fire department. Irvin served on the Greater Waynesboro United Way for over fifteen years both as President and a member of the Campaign Committee. He served on the Board of the Waynesboro Area Human Services for twelve years, including terms as President and Treasurer. He was on the Board of the Green Hill Cemetery for twenty-seven years , of which he was the President for fifteen.
Irvin is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Gene, two sons, Irvin III and Dale, daughter-in-law, Christina (Stoner) and three grandchildren: Brock R. McCleary and wife, Niki and great granddaughter, Harper of Washington , D.C., Kathryn S. McCleary and husband, Gary of Chestertown, Md. and Sean S. McCleary of Bozeman, MT. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Rd. Chambersburg, PA on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Friends may greet the family an hour before the service. Interment will be private. Donations in Irvin’s name may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 4th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Condolences and memories may be shared on his Book of Memories page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.