Leon Herbert Shealy, Sr., 91, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the family residence.
He was born Jan. 4, 1925 in Batesburg, SC and was the eldest son of W. Kline and Nanny Shealy. He was a long time member of First Lutheran Church in Cleveland, TN and served as an elder of the church.
He formed and played football and rode his horse as transportation through high school. He attended Clemson University until WW II broke out and he enlisted into the navy and served in the south pacific. After the war he continued his education and graduated from Clemson with a degree in engineering.
He met his wife of 62 years, Louise Bennett, while working at Amelia Island. He moved to Tennessee in 1953 with his wife during construction of Bowater and fell in love with the area. He was employed with Bowater until his retirement of 35 years. He raised three children, Herb, Cynthia, and Mike Shealy and was blessed with nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Bennett Shealy; his parents, Wilbur Kline Shealy and Nanny Lorick Shealy; brother, Haskell Lorick Shealy; and son, John Michael Shealy.
He is survived by his two children, Herb Shealy, Jr. and Cynthia Shealy Clarke and husband, David; nine grandchildren, Ann Shealy Schatzman and husband, Scott, Leslie Ann Shealy Reed and husband, Lynn, James Corey Shealy and wife, Melanie, Mallory Louise Shealy, Hannah Louise Clarke, Rachel Elizabeth Clarke, Sally Michelle Shealy, Hailey Victoria Shealy and Natalie Eliza Shealy; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob Alan Schatzman, Samuel Asher Schatzman, Cole Shealy, Emma Shealy, Kaelyn Reed, Mycah Reed and Autumn Reed; one sister, Kathleen Shealy Are and husband, William; and one brother, Ellis Brandt Shealy and wife, Elaine.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with Reverend Seaton officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home, who has charge of the arrangements.
The family suggests memorials be made to the First Lutheran Church, 195 McIntire Avenue, NE, Cleveland, TN 37311.