Michael Clary

Muncie, IN

Michael Allen Clary, 71, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at his home from complications of prostate cancer. Gentlemen, if something’s not right, please go to the doctor.

Mike was born on April 23, 1953, to James and Doris (Said) Clary. He graduated from Muncie Southside High School in 1971. On March 1, 1974, he married Connie Jo Paige and together they made a home in a little house on the south side of Muncie.

Mike fell in love with printing in his teens under the mentorship of Doc Geckler. Despite being red/green colorblind, Mike was a skilled and sought after pressman and later die-cutter. When his kids were still in school, Mike worked for Precision Printing and freelanced nights and weekends for The Muncie Star when it was still printed in downtown Muncie. Later, he worked in the bindery at CS Kern, Inc. before retiring in 2020.

Mike loved bowling. Loved it. And he was a darned good bowler with a 300 ring to prove it. Mike played in multiple leagues over the years, traveling to participate in tournaments before the kids came. He was active in boy scouts, serving as a scout leader for several camping adventures across the country. Those trips—and the friendships he made on them—became some of the best memories of his life.

Mike loved to fix things and collect things that might help him fix things. It made for quite an eclectic collection of stuff in his garage. Most of all, he loved his grandkids. Mike was a hands-on papaw. He changed their diapers, sneaked them snacks, and carried them when their little legs became too tired to walk anymore. As they got older, he attended their events or watched the livestreams when he couldn’t be there in person. He was so proud of them and talked about them all the time.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Connie Clary, who took careful and thoughtful care of him as his body began to decline; his children: Paige Waters (Brian), Molly Roberts (Shawn), Stephanie Borba (Jason), and James Clary (Ashley); grandchildren: Katherine Roberts, William Roberts, Edward Roberts, Jackson Borba, Shelby Borba, Sarah Waters, Charles Waters, and Sophie Clary; and his brother, Jeff Clary (Kathy).

Mike was preceded in death by his best friend, Big Jim Williams, and grandmother, Helen Said, who Mike loved like a mother.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025,

at Pitman-Richman Funeral Home 200 S. Hartford St., Eaton with funeral director and son-in-law, Brian Waters, officiating.

Visitation for family and friends will be at the funeral home from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Southside Middle School Panther Pantry, Muncie Soup Kitchen, or Meals on Wheels, c/o Pitman-Richman Funeral Home, PO Box 537, Eaton, IN 47338.

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