William F. McCleaf Sr.

GETTYSBURG William F. 'Jim' McCleaf, Sr., 83, died Thursday, July 29, 2010, at Green Acres. He was born Saturday, June 18, 1927, in Fairfield, the son of the late Robert and Catherine M. (Taylor) McCleaf. Jim attended Biglerville High School. He worked for C.H. Musselman Co. in Biglerville, after his schooling. He and his wife Virginia then operated the Wishards fruit/produce stand in York Springs for 2 years. Jim began his many years of furniture sales with the Ditzler Furniture store in York Springs in 1956. He then continued his career with Trostle's Furniture Store, in Barlow. In 1969, he and Virginia opened McCleaf's Furniture Store, near Biglerville. He retired from the furniture business in 1983, whereas they moved to Winter Haven, Florida to enjoy the next 14 years in the warm sunny climate. In 1997 he and his wife returned to Adams County where they reside to be closer to family. Jim enjoyed woodworking, being outdoors, always spending time with his lovable companions, his boston terriors. He was a member of the Good Samaritan Lodge 336 of Gettysburg where he belonged for 57 years, a 32nd degree mason in the Harrisburg Consistory, he also a member of the Scottish Rite of Harrisburg. He held office in York Springs Fire Co. for many years. He was a deacon of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven, Florida. He served in the United States Coast Guard Merchant Marines during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Virginia (March) McCleaf to whom he was married for 62 years. He is also survived by four daughters, Shirley A. McCleaf, Gettysburg, Debra K. and husband, Wayne Galloway, New Oxford, Jennifer M. and husband, Frank Bacon, Jenison, MI., Susie and husband, Carl Frantz, Cashtown; two sons, William F. McCleaf, Jr., Gettysburg, and David M. and wife, Brenda McCleaf, York Springs; and two sisters, Marion Slaybaugh, Biglerville, and Tonya Taylor, Aspers; two brothers, Robert McCleaf, Biglerville, and Richard McCleaf, Aspers. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Professional services were handled by Dugan Funeral Home, Inc., 111 S. Main St., Bendersville. Funeral Services were held on Monday at the Dugan Funeral Home, Inc., Bendersville with Harry Nell officiating. Interment was in Biglerville Cemetery. A viewing was held at the funeral home on Sunday and Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Masonic Lodge #336, 9 Lincoln Square Gettysburg, PA 17325; and to the American Heart Association P.O. Box 3535 Gettysburg PA 17325. Friends may express online condolences at www.DuganFH.com