Donald L. “Don” “Eagle” Cleary, 80 of Aurora passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025, at his home with his loving family by his side. Don was born on Friday, June 29, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio; son of James and Etta (Wethington) Cleary. Don married Pat Cleary, June 9, 1984, and she survives. Don worked for Monsanto/Bayer for 32 years when he retired, then he worked at the post office in Guilford for 13 years as a mail delivery person. Don was a member of the Hope Baptist Church and New Alsace American Legion. Don was a Vietnam Veteran of the Army branch as an 716th, 95b40 combat MP. He enjoyed all types of hunting, small and big game, with his children, grandchildren and brothers, and enjoyed doing taxidermy. He enjoyed fishing and would take fishing trips to Alaska. He loved to dance, sing karaoke, singing at the church, and Don sang on every Memorial Day “God Bless the USA.” He loved to take his grandchildren on rides on the quad, going to yard sales, and deeply loved his dogs. Most of all Don cherished spending time with his family.
Don will be missed by his wife, Pat Cleary of Aurora; sons James Hunter of Owenton, KY and Jamie Lee (Crystal) Johnson of Patriot; daughters: Pamela Tingle of Milan, Libby (Stuart) Morrison of Lexington, IN, Debbra Proffitt of Milan, Donna Holt (Stephen Aleman) of Cincinnati, OH, and Danielle Cleary (Darrell Potter) of Aurora; brothers James “Buster” Cleary of Bright, Gene (Toni) Cleary of Guilford, and Charles “Chuck” (Mary Jo) Cleary of Greendale; sister Gaye (David) Swain of Florida; many grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, Granny and Papaw had so many kids at their home and their church.
Don was preceded in death by his parents James and Etta Cleary; son Daniel “Danny” Cleary; brother Glen Cleary; Grandchildren Zachary Cleary and Colton Sizemore and sister-in-law Joann Cleary.
Family and friends may gather in remembering Don from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Hope Baptist Church in Dillsboro: 15593 US-50, Dillsboro, IN 47018. Services will follow at 12:00 PM, with Pastor Tom Holt officiating. Burial will follow at St. Martins Catholic Cemetery, with full military rites, at 3:00 PM. Memorials may be given in honor of Don to Hoosier Hills Baptist Church Camp.
Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: 16717 Manchester Street P.O Box 156, Moores Hill, IN 47032; (812) 744-3280. Please visit our website at www.sibbettmoore.com to share your condolences and memories of Don.