Clarence Cecil Leer Jr.

Clarence Cecil Leer Jr., 73, Milo, Mo., passed away on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, at his home in Milo, following a lengthy illness. He was born on Nov. 11, 1940, in Milo, to Clarence Cecil Leer Sr. and Pansy Calvene Clark Leer Veltri. He married Mary Lou McBride on March 3, 1962, in Miami, Okla., and she survives of Milo.

Cecil, as he was known, was born and raised in Milo. He moved to Kansas City right out of high school, living there about 15 years. He worked for a time at Hallmark, then Charlie Williams Wheel Alignment, moving on to both Debacker and Land Sharp Chevrolet. He also drove dump trucks and semis. In the summer of 1976, Cecil, along with his family, then moved back to Milo where he bought a farm next to his parents. He spent the next years farming and also did mechanic work as an employee of Balk Implement. In his semi-retirement years he worked for Route 2 Water District in Sheldon, Mo. Cecil was a longtime member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Nevada. He liked to hunt, camp at Stockton Lake and was a collector of replicas of old cars.

Survivors in addition to Mary include two daughters, Cindy Lou Ast and her husband, Mike, Nevada, and Cathy Ann Gash and fiancé, Michael Kavalesky, Nevada; four grandchildren, Andrea Ast, Blake Ast, Mandi Jo Gash with Blake Butler, and Derek Gash; one sister, Linda Kay McCauley and her husband, Gary, Harrisonville, Mo.; and other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Roger Beach officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the family or the American Diabetes Association.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.