Cleon E. McMahon

Cleon E. McMahon, loved deeply by Pauline, his wife of fifty-eight years, who was also his high school sweetheart, and his daughters, LeAnne, Laura, and Linda, was welcomed into the Lord’s presence on June 14, 2022.

Born to Cletus and Christine (Kelting) McMahon in Manilla, Iowa, July 9, 1940, he moved to Des Moines when he was a child and graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1958. It was at East High School that he noticed and met Pauline Long, whom he married November 16, 1963. They raised three daughters, who adored him, and he taught them the importance of honoring their mom. His life reflected the priority he placed on his family.

He became a follower of Jesus Christ in June, 1975, and joined Chesterfield Christian Church, volunteering for decades at their Iowa State Fair dining hall. Later he began attending at The Well Covenant Church. When unable to attend in person, he enjoyed being able to attend on-line.

In his youth Cleon enjoyed fun times at the river: climbing under bridges, skiing, and fishing. Throughout life he was an avid outdoorsman, having a passion for ice fishing, fishing, bow hunting, and spending time at “The Land.”

He retired from the Des Moines Register and Tribune in 2000 after forty-plus years, progressing from paper boy at nine-years- old to department manager. He also actively served his country in the U.S. Navy on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. From the fun file, he was an avid bowler in his youth and bowled some perfect 300 games and taught his grandchildren how to fish and play pool.

Loved ones passing before him are his parents, sisters Clelia Madden and Cleoda Mikesch, father and mother in-law Oliver and Lula Mae Long, brother and sister in-law Norman and Pat Long, nephew Mitchell Long, niece Julene Rogers, and his friend like a brother, Ray Mundy.

Cleon will be greatly missed and his legacy and life will be remembered and honored by those he loved and served: wife Pauline; daughter LeAnne and Steve Getz of Urbandale and their children: Randyl Lynn and Jake Dicks and their daughter arriving in August, Ryann, Regan, Bryce, Rowan Noelle, Raya, and Michael Getz; daughter Laura and Todd Huffman of Overland Park, Kansas, and their children: Hannah, Cole, and Caden Huffman; and daughter Linda McMahon of Shawnee, Kansas. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Bill Mikesch, niece Deandra Dickson, nephews Michael and Matthew Mikesch, Mickey Knapp, Cletus Madden, Barry and Corey Long, and many other loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 19, 2022, 5 - 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Cleon’s life well-lived will be remembered at a memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2022, at The Well Covenant Church, 2625 Hubble Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. A luncheon at the church will be held after the service with burial immediately following at Hamilton Cemetery in Hamilton, Iowa. Memorial contributions in Cleon’s honor may be made to The Well Covenant Church or Parkinson’s research.

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