Gilbert Craig McCleary, 89, of Evansville, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2009, at his home. He was born January 31, 1920, in Evansville to the late Chester Brown and Velada Mae (Craig) McCleary.

He graduated from Bosse High School in 1937 and DePauw University in 1941, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. In March 1942, he entered the Army Air Corps Military Police. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Armored Force in February 1943. He received honorable discharge as 1st Lieutenant in November 1945.

Gilbert managed McCleary Coach Lines from 1946 to 1960 and then owned and operated it from 1960 to 1979. He was the Transportation Manager for C.A.P.E. from 1980 to 1988 and was the Superintendent of Operations for the Metropolitan Evansville Transport System from 1988 to 1997. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he was a deacon, elder and chairman of the board of trustees. Gilbert was also a member of the National Defense Transportation Association, Evansville Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal Member of Masonic Reed Lodge #316, Evansville Valley Scottish Rite, Hadi Temple, Shriners of North America. He was the general chairman of the Hadi Crippled Children Committee for 10 years, a member of the Board of Governors-St. Louis Unit, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Emeritus, Funkhouser Post, and the American Legion. His dedication to the Shriners Hospital lasted his entire life and he was instrumental in expanding their services and thus helping many children.

Gilbert was an avid boater who roamed the waterways of the U.S. from the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers eastward. And roamed Florida to the Keys. He also was an accomplished woodworker and builder, whose many projects adorn the homes of family members, homes he helped build or remodeled.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Davis McCleary of Evansville; daughter, Elizabeth Caryl Davis and husband, David Gelhausen of Henderson, KY; son, Craig Davis McCleary and wife, Carolyn Lynn of Evansville; grandchildren, Garrett Gelhausen of Charleston, SC; Lisa Heichelbech and husband, Jon; Arin Gelhausen and wife, Jennifer of Charleston, SC; Douglas Craig McCleary of Colorado; and Bradley Conrad McCleary and wife, Jeannie of Chandler; great-grandchildren, Julian and Natasha Gelhausen, Cameron and Spencer Heichelbech, and Meili and Elias McCleary.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Alexander North Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Ernest Stair. The Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites at the funeral home. Friends may visit Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, PO Box 1, Evansville, IN 47701. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road.

April 04, 2009
Elizabeth & Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss and share your grief. You are in our prayers.  Mike & Shelley Wezet (Sides), Evansville, Indiana