Estella Marie (Descamps) McCleary, born June 15, 1950, in Springfield, Missouri, to Mildred
and Rene Descamps, passed away peacefully at The Maples Care Center on July 20, 2024 at
the age of 74 after a long and courageous battle with cancer and kidney failure. As a toddler,
Estella faced and overcame polio. Despite being made fun of at school, she remained strong,
cherishing her early years spent on her Daddy's farm, playing with Mike, Glenda, Bucky the calf,
and all the cats. She also enjoyed farm life in Iowa.

Estella enjoyed family reunions and holidays with both sides of her family, going on trips with
her father and traveling to California with her mother. She attended Pipkin Junior High and
graduated from Central High School in 1968, where she took nursing classes. After high school,
she furthered her education at Vocational Technical School and Burge School of Nursing,
earning her LPN degree. Her caring nature led her to a career in nursing, starting at the age of
15 at Mercy Villa Nursing Home. She later worked at various nursing homes and St. Johns
Hospital, where she cared for heart patients. As her health declined, she transitioned to a ward
secretary before eventually having to quit work due to her health, yet she remained strong.

In 1981, Estella married Robert McCleary, and they enjoyed 43 years of marriage filled with
camping, dining out, and get-togethers. Estella was a great cook, known for her specialty and
love of fried chicken. She had a good sense of humor, often teasing and giggling, even through
her pain she was strong.. She had a soft spot for animals, loving her own pets and enjoying
others as well.

Estella was at peace and ready to leave this world on her own terms, looking forward to
reuniting with those who had gone before her. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert
McCleary; her sister, Glenda Welde, and husband David; her brothers, John Marty and Mike
Descamps and family; her niece, Michelle Keithley, and family; her nephew, Andy Starnes, and
family; her uncle, Otto Foust and family, and several cousins.

Estella's strength, resilience, and caring nature touched many lives, and she will be dearly
missed. She faced life's challenges with unwavering strength, leaving behind a legacy of love
and courage.

Estella will be interred Friday, July 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the White Chapel Memorial Gardens Cemetery: 5234 W. State Hwy EE Springfield, MO 65802.

Online condolences may be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com.