Michael E. Leary

---

Waco, Texas Schedule of Events

Friday, September 16, 2022
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEMORIAL MASS
4 p.m.
St. Louis Catholic Church
2001 N. 25th Street
Waco, TX 76708

Saturday, September 17, 2022
VISITATION AND ROSARY
Visitation 2 pm - 3 p.m.
Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus - 3 p.m.
OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX
www.oakcrestwaco.com
254-772-5272

---

Howard, South Dakota Schedule of Events

ROSARY
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Rosary 5-7 p.m.
Willoughby Funeral Home
301 N Main St, Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4681

Thursday, September 22, 2022
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
St. Agatha Catholic Church 10:30 a.m.
202 W Washington Ave, Howard, SD 57349
(605) 772-4543

BURIAL
Burial to Follow at St. Joseph Cemetery
next to his parents
Howard, SD

LUNCH
Lunch to follow the burial

---

Michael Eugene Leary , 78 of Waco, TX passed away on September 12, 2022.

Michael was born January 15, 1944 in Madison, SD to Edward and N. Jean (Davison) Leary. He attended St. Agatha Catholic School in Howard, SD where he graduated in 1961. While in high school he played basketball, baseball, and worked as a pin setter at the local bowling alley.

MILITARY SERVICE
The day after his high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his career, he served in Viet Nam and throughout the Pacific Theater. After 26 years, he retired October 1, 1987 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Michael served as a Faithful Navigator and Comptroller for the Knights of Columbus where he was also a 4th Degree Knight. He also served as treasurer and director for ACTS Retreat and he was a Eucharistic minister.

Michael loved to hunt, fish and watch his beloved Boston Red Sox.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Dennis Carlson, Lee Thompson and Gerald McKinney and nephews James Hackl and Christopher Carlson.

SURVIVORS
Survivors include his beloved wife, Cris Leary; children: Brenda (Leslie) Erikson, Dell Rapids, SD; Katie Leary, Brandon, SD; Donna (Joel) Hanks, Rapid City, SD; Michael (Amanda) Leary, College Station, TX; Daniel Leary, San Antonio, TX; Caroline (Yutaka) Elswick Atsushi, Okinawa, Japan, Anthony (Amy) Elswick, Leesville, LA, Tracey (John III) Leviness, Cheektowaga, NY; Letty Quiroga, Goldthwaite, TX; sisters: Patricia Carlson, Jean Marie Thompson, Dorothy Hageman, Mary Leary, Howard, SD; grandchildren: William, Daniel, Patrick, Melissa, Caroline, Charles, Hope, Kristina, Joshua, Haylee, Sydnee, Owen, Jurie, Jurai, Andrea, Anthony, Melissa, John IV, Jordan, Emily, Adriana, Elena, Brandon; great-grandchildren: Jaymison, Zoey, Alyvia, Stetson, Porter, Adeline, Cameron, Zoey, Theodore, Carter, Aubrey, Imogen, Ronan, Brandon, Madison, Sophie, Rosie, Johnny, Lily, Higinio, Cataleya; and numerous nieces and nephews.

PALLBEARERS
Pallbearers will be William Erikson, Daniel Erikson, Patrick Erikson, Charles Hovey, Brandon Ramirez, and Heath Thompson.

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren, great grandchildren and the Knights of Columbus Council 8135.

SPECIAL THANKS
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Michael’s dear friend Mike Jansing, his hunting partner Kenny Brewton, nurses and staff of Ascension Providence ICU and the Knights of Columbus Council 8135.

MEMORIALS
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knights of Columbus Council 8135, 2001 N 25th Street, Waco, TX 76708.