LeeRoy DeGeare, 91, of Crystal City died Dec. 5, 2020, at Crystal Oaks Nursing Center in Festus. Mr. DeGeare was a retired packager with the St. Louis Monsanto chemical plant, and had formerly worked for 17 years at the Pittsburgh Plate Glass factory in Crystal City. He was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church in Festus. He was a 1946 graduate of Crystal City High School, where he was involved with choir, band and orchestra. His love of music was life long, down to eventually singing to his caregivers during his time in the nursing facility. He loved camping and traveling with his family to all 49 contiguous states, as well as Canada and Mexico. He loved dancing; he and his wife took part in ballroom, jitterbug, swing and square dancing, and their favorite trips were traveling to other countries to attend International Square Dance Conventions. He was born March 4, 1929, in Crystal City, the son of the late Lucy (Pullen) and John V. DeGeare. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years: LaVerne (Clinkenbeard) DeGeare.
He is survived by a daughter: Pamela (Chris) Pullen of Crystal City; a son: Robert DeGeare of Crystal City; a sister-in-law: Mary DeGeare of Herculaneum; eight grandchildren: Angie (fiance’ Glen Jones) Pullen, Christopher (Heather) Pullen, Melissa Dobbs, Robert DeGeare, Andrea Falkin, Carrie DeGeare, Sam (Stacy Wakefield) DeGeare and Ben DeGeare; and 12 great-grandchildren: Dallas Pullen, Lily Pullen, Jason Dobbs, Chloe Burger, Amber DeGeare, Taylor Skibinski, Samantha Tomlin, Jordan Tomlin, Ellie Chisim, Ava DeGeare, Abby DeGeare and Gabe DeGeare.
He was preceded in death by a son: John V. DeGeare; a sister: Willa Mae (the late Earl) Bequette; and brothers Truett (the late Carrie) DeGeare, and Donnell DeGeare.
Private family services were held, with burial in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 601 Collins Dr, Festus, 63028; or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.