Date of death: 9/7/2007
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1955
Fr. William D. Cleary, 81, of Beech Grove, IN formally of Rushville, Lake Princess, & Indianapolis, died at St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove. He was born May 2, 1926 in Rushville, IN the son of the late Michael A. & Kathryn I. McKee Cleary. He was a 1944 graduate of Rushville High School. He entered the US Army during WWII and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in France. He entered Saint Meinrad Seminary and was ordained February 2, 1955. He was Assistant pastor of St. Bernadette, Indianapolis 1958, assistant pastor of Holy Cross, Indianapolis and guidance director and Assistant Principal of Scecina Memorial High School from 1958 to 1965; 1964 assistant pastor St Philip Neri, Indianapolis, assistant pastor St. Michael the Archangel, Indianapolis and Founding Principal of Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School from 1965 to 1972; rector of Bishop Brute’ Latin School and pastor Holy Rosary, Indianapolis from 1972 to 1978 when he became pastor of St. Mary, Rushville until his retirement in 1996. He lived at Lake Princess, IN until he entered St. Paul Hermitage in 2004.Survivors include many cousins. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Paul Hermitage 501 N. 17th St. Beech Grove, IN 46107.Information obtained from the Indianapolis Star online, www.indystar.com, on 9/9/07.