Donna Mae Mccleary

Donna Mae McCleary

July 17, 1942 - March 27, 2024

Donna Mae McCleary went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2024.

She had a wonderful life as a caring servant. Donna was the second of three daughters born to Lorin and Dorothy (Hass) Sheldon on July 17, 1942, in New London, Wisconsin.

In 1949, the family moved to Colorado and lived with their Grandma Sheldon in Boone for a few months before moving to an apartment in Fowler. For a time they lived in a bus conversion behind Baker’s house before moving to the farm by the river.

Donna started school at Olney Springs in the fifth grade attending there until she graduated in 1960. Buck graduated with Donna and they were married June 11, 1961. Their daughter Dianna Kay was born in May 1962 and son Rodney Roy, two years later in July.

While Buck worked at Ordway Feeds and then the Union Pacific Railroad to support the family, Donna’s priorities were caring for their children and elderly neighbors. She was an excellent seamstress, making many of her kids' clothes and reupholstering furniture without a pattern. She loved making Barbie clothes. Donna helped her family run Dottie’s Cafe. When her kids got to high school, she began working for the United States Post Office in Olney Springs. Donna was promoted to postmaster in 1982. Buck and Donna celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2021 with a family train ride through the Royal Gorge. They also enjoyed going to classic car shows and parades for over 20 years.

Rod married Elizabeth Teubner in 1984. Dianna and Terry Hiatt were married in 1986. Donna was so excited to welcome her granddaughter Tara Dawn, born in 1999, and then grandson Joseph Aaron joined the family in 2008.

Donna served as postmaster until her retirement on October 1, 2002, with 24 years of service. Her reasons for retiring included taking time to play with her three-year-old granddaughter, work at the Olney Springs gazebo, her own flowers and care for their two mothers who lived in town.

Buck and Donna celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2021 with a family train ride through the Royal Gorge.

Donna loved to travel, taking family camping and girl’s trips with Dianna and Tara. She cheered for her grandkids at horse shows and sporting events as often as she could. Donna bowled in Rocky Ford for nearly 30 years followed by her passion playing golf. She loved being on the course playing weekly all year round. Donna was a good cook, known for her tasty fried chicken, white gravy and homemade pies.

All her life, Donna was a caregiver for her family, friends and neighbors always willing to help anybody in need. She took care of others often before herself.

Donna is survived by her husband, Buck McCleary; children, Dianna and Terry Hiatt; Rod and Liz McCleary; grandchildren, Tara and Braedon Kloberdanz, Joe and Kyndall McCleary; great-grandson, Aaron McCleary; sisters Jean and George Reeves; and Betty Marshall; sister-in-law, Phyllis Boley; brother-in-law, Mike McCleary; adopted sister, Marie Sheldon; many nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceding her to heaven are her parents, Lorin & Dorothy Sheldon, father and mother in-law, Earl & Kathleen McCleary; sister-in-law Pat Holman, brothers-in-law, Larry Boley & Jerry Marshall; and three nephews.

Memorial Service for Donna will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at River of Life Church in Ordway, CO with Pastor Jeb Brown officiating. If you wish, please join Donna’s family in wearing her favorite color green.

Memorial donations can be made in Donna’s name, direct or through the funeral home, to either River of Life Church, 411 E Ninth St, Ordway, CO 81063; Crowley County Ambulance Service, 611 E 9th Street, Ordway, CO 81063; Fowler Fire Department, PO Box 93t, Fowler, CO 81039; or Rocky Ford Fire Department, 300 S. Main Street, Rocky Ford, CO 81067.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.