"It absolutely breaks my heart to hear about your beautiful daughter. I have never met any of you, we share mutual friends. As a parent myself I cannot imagine the magnitude of loss that you are dealing with. Just know that people from many hours away in different states are praying for you and your family. I pray you feel God?s love and comfort in this very difficult time. God bless you all."
In loving memory of
Natalie Marie McCleary
March 15, 2009 - December 7, 2022
NATALIE MARIE MCCLEARY
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Natalie Marie McCleary, 13, of Muscatine, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospital.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend Al Halpain will officiate. Burial will be in the Island Cemetery. Pallbearers will be CJ Ryan, Mikel McCleary, Jason Smith, Jeff Riggan, Noah McCleary, Cole McCleary, and Irish McCleary. Following the burial there will be a time for food and fellowship at the Fruitland Community Center.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family in Natalie's honor. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Natalie was born on March 15, 2009, in Muscatine, the daughter of Mathew and Amanda McCleary.
Natalie attended Louisa Muscatine and participated in volleyball, band, choir, drama, and the mock trial team. She was part of the Pearl City Players and also played the piano. Her favorite holidays were the Fourth of July and Christmas.
Natalie enjoyed drawing, art, swimming, and riding the golf cart with her brother, Noah. She always lit up the room when she walked in by giving immediate hugs. Natalie was a people person and liked to make them happy. She loved reading and trips to Barnes and Noble, cats, spending time with her friends, her late-night talks with her brother, and playing with her dog, Daisy. She loved spending the night at her grandparents. Natalie liked to exchange jokes with her dad and make fun of his hairline. She also enjoyed going shopping and getting her hair and nails done with her mom.
Those left to honor her memory include her parents, Matt and Amanda; one brother, Noah McCleary; her grandparents, Deb Wagg, Doug Wagg, and Allen and Alberta McCleary; great grandparents, Bud and Margaret Dunnahoo, and Allen and Peg Nordquist; aunts and uncles, Mikel McCleary and his wife, Allie, and Stacy Wagg and her significant other, Matt Mulholland; and her cousins, Liam Mulholland, Irish, Cole, and Livvie McCleary.
Natalie was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Effie McCleary, Albert and Maxine Schweitzer, Rosemary and Howard Wagg, and Leroy Harris.
Tributes
"Matt, Amanda and Noah We are so sorry for your loss. We are so sorry we couldn?t attend visitations due to my breathing. Your daughter looks like a very sweet girl with a loving family. Know that she is in great hands with our Lord and Savior. Ours prayers will be with you and to comfort you. May God watch over you and you family in this time of loss. Take care and God Bless you all. Again sorry we couldn?t attend Jim & Myrna Slack "
"Nat was really a good friend and she will be missed a lot by me spread your wings and soar the beautiful stars sweetie"
"Sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers."
"I?m so sorry to the family and everyone who knew her. She was loved by all.? And she will continue to be missed every single day. "
"Please accept my deepest condolences. My prayers are with her family. "
"It's really sad to see someone that young die, I miss her. She helped so many people with their mental health and she helped me too. Condolences to her mom, dad, and her older brother Noah. Fly high nat, we will miss you. "
"It sad to lose my friend she had a good feature "
"Matt, Amanda, and Noah, So sorry for the loss of Natalie, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Uncle Tom and Rosann"
"We are so sorry for the loss of Natalie, she was and still is loved by so many! Spread your wings and fly high for us nat. ???"
"My heart is breaking for you"
"She was the best actress that anyone could ever know ?"
"I?m so sorry for your loss, I can remember coming to your house and picking up joslynn and Jayden when they were little! Praying for you guys! Teresa Elliott (tifany Rickey mom "
"Gary and I are so very sorry for the loss of Natalie"
"Lauri and I are so sorry for your loss. We haven?t seen you for so long, though Madison remembers your family. Your are in our thoughts. Deepest sympathies, Travis "
"My heart goes out to her family "
"My heart is with the McCleary family. I'm so sorry"
"I didn?t know her very well but Kaylee did and should just want to say she is super proud of how far she came "
"So sorry for your loss of your precious daughter. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Bob and Michele Nowak"
"My deepest heartfelt condolences to the entire McCleary family. "
"So sorry to hear about Natalie my thoughts and prayers are with all of the family"
"Matt and Amanda and Noah and her family. My prayers and hugs go out to you. I remember the first time she ran for Little Miss Fruitland. Her smile lit the room up. My heart hurts for you all. Continued prayers for you all. Rest Easy Natalie."