Obituary for Gary Cleaver
Gary Dean Cleaver was born on April 10, 1956 in Peoria, IL. He passed away on January 17, 2017 at his home in Midway (Pekin) IL. Gary was happily resting on his bed in the very early hours of the morning eating his favorite snack popcorn when he had a severe heart attack that shortened his life. Gary is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Betty Cleaver, his brother Frank Cleaver and his sister Janet Cleaver. Gary is survived by his sister Patricia Cleaver of Peoria, IL, His brother Dennis (Elaine) Cleaver of Vancouver, WA, Sister-n-law Donna Cleaver of Pekin, IL, Daughter Heather (Kiel) Wang of WI., Son Jacob (Andrea) Cleaver of Manito, IL, Step-son Cory (Amber) Sayers of New Orleans, Louisiana. Gary has seven grandchildren, Wyatt, Brock, Sarah, Hunter, Lily, Coraline, Aeva and a great grandchild named Addison. Gary has many nieces and nephews and was very close to all of them growing up. Nephews are as follows Denny (Jane) Cleaver, Kenny (Teri) Cleaver, Greg Baker, Richie (Sheri) Cleaver, Frankie (Tara) Cleaver, Dennis Cleaver (children), Chris (Jennifer) Cleaver, and Kiley (Carrie) Bar ney. Nieces are Janet (Justin) Mallory, Jody Baker (daughters), Jennifer (Todd) Hemmer, Kara Bar ney (children), Patty Cleaver (daughter), and DeeDee Cleaver (children). Gary also had many great and great-great nephews/ nieces. Gary considered the Sayer’s family as extended family members. Gary shared many memories and music with them through his brother Frank and sister-n-law Donna Cleaver as this is her side of the family. Gary had a best friend of 30 years named Delbert Atterberry; he always stuck by him through the years along with his niece/God daughter Jody. Gary made friends very easily and all his neighbors spoke very highly of him. Gary was extremely gifted with musical instruments especially playing the acoustic guitar by ear even though he knew how to read sheet music. His I.Q. was at a genius level. By the time Gary was thirty years of age he had went from working in a Steele mill in Indiana, plus other work, to helping a small hearing aide business in Peoria, IL. perfect their hearing aide with a more adaptable fitting and better hearing tones. His company took him down to Florida and honored him with five gold coins plus all expenses paid for. Gary loved that job and donated all his knowledge to them. Gary loved doing electronical work and at the early age of three he helped his father Frank with the mechanics of fixing a washing machine. Gary’s favorite colors were blue and green. His favorite car was his blue Dodge from the 1970’s now called, “Muscle Cars”. Gary had a deep love for animals and they loved him, so much so, that he could catch bees with his hands and not get stung. Before Gary passed he had a couple of trained pet mice and some wandering cats. The type of music Gary listened to was classic rock. Gary could be heard from the street playing 93.3 The Drive just before he passed. One of Gary’s favorite songs him and Jody used to sing together for his various neighbors over the years was a song called, “Time for Me to Fly” by REO Speedwagon. Gary thought Angus Young of AC/DC was the coolest guitarist running around on stage in schoolboy shorts. Jimmy Hendricks was his favorite electric guitarist and Dan Fogelberg was his favorite acoustic guitarist. Gary knew a lot about science and religion; he had a healthy respect for both. Gary could grow very successful plants, herbs, and vegetable gardens where ever he lived. Gary was always willing to share and teach the knowledge he had gained over the years with everyone. Gary appreciated every single person that helped him throughout his life’s journey. Gary lived with schizophrenia for half his life without medications and will be remembered as a person that persevered through all life’s circumstances with caring eyes, kind words, a giving heart, and a loving soul. Gary is deeply missed. Special thanks to the Asst. Coroner that came in on his day off, the Lead Investigator, Sheriff Deputy, Abts Mortuary and Peoria County for assisting. If you would like to donate in Gary’s name here are some suggested organizations: https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisHeartLungFoundation
http://www.sardaa.org/
https://www.onemindinstitute.org/get-involved/donate-schizophrenia-research-help-people-schizophrenia
http://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Donate-to-NAMI/Ways-of-Giving
https://bbrfoundation.org/schizophrenia
Read More
http://www.sardaa.org/
https://www.onemindinstitute.org/get-involved/donate-schizophrenia-research-help-people-schizophrenia
http://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Donate-to-NAMI/Ways-of-Giving
https://bbrfoundation.org/schizophrenia
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