Michael Joseph Cleary, age 85, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Creekside Health and Rehab in Yellville. Mr. Cleary was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Michael and Laura (Alderson) Cleary on June 19, 1928. He was ordained a priest in 1954 and spent fourteen years serving a number of parishes in St. Louis, Missouri. He moved to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1968 and began working for the state of Arkansas in 1971. He worked in a number of positions in Community Services Grant Program, State Health Planning, and the State Weatherization Program. He retired in July 1991. After retirement, Mr. Cleary enjoyed visiting with family and friends at his cabin on the Little Red River in Heber Springs, fishing and playing golf.
Michael Cleary is survived by one sister, Helen Hufker of San Diego, California. Mr. Cleary was preceded in death by his mother; his father; three sisters; three brothers; and long-time companion, Margaret Smith.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Holy Souls in Little Rock, Arkansas at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 19, 2014. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. For online condolences go to www.haburns.com.

Published June 17, 2014