Cletus P. “Clete” Bailey, 45, of rural Markle, passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 26, 2022, at his residence. His death followed a courageous year-long battle with cancer.
Clete was born Nov. 23, 1976, in Fort Wayne, to Kedric and Clara McBride Bailey. Both parents survive in rural Markle. He married Jennifer A. Ruse in Zanesville on May 12, 2001; she survives.
Clete was a 1995 graduate of Norwell High School, where he was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He later attended Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne for three years before going to work as an apprentice glazier for Hall Aluminum Products. Clete eventually became a journeyman, then foreman, and currently had been serving as director of services, dealing primarily with services and sales. While at HAP, he was a member of the IUPAT Glaziers Local 1165 union.
When Clete wasn’t working at HAP, he also enjoyed co-owning and operating C&K Bailey Farms with his dad, Ked. Clete’s favorite part about farming was breeding and raising pigs, where his primary focus was not making a profit but getting his own children, as well as many others, involved in 4-H. Clete’s love for youth and mentoring was also very evident with his involvement in coaching youth sports, especially basketball and baseball. He attended Zanesville United Brethren Church, and for everyone who knew Clete, his legacy will be long remembered as a man who loved his family with a passion and had a positive impact not only on his own six children, but on countless other children as well.
In addition to his wife and parents, Clete is survived by a daughter, Mackenzie (Evan) Milam of Roann; four sons, Lleyton Bailey, Cohen Bailey, Griffen Bailey, and Ripken Bailey, all of rural Markle; two brothers, Kyle (Wendy) Bailey of Ossian and Cliff (Brenda) Bailey of Markle; two sisters, Kendra Bailey of Markle and Kristin (Jason) Borne of Uniondale; a granddaughter, Jovie Anne Milam; and his mother-in-law, Patti Ruse of Markle.
Clete was preceded in death by his oldest son, Landen Philip Bailey in 2008, along with his father-in-law, Gene Ruse.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in the gymnasium of the Tower Life Center (former ly the Zanesville United Methodist Church), 11811 Wayne St. in Zanesville. (Please enter through the church’s main entrance, Door 1.) Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the Tower Life Center gymnasium with public visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Ray Seilhamer will officiate. Burial will follow at the Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville.
The Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made directly to Jennifer Bailey to assist with any future expenses she may have in raising her and Clete’s four sons.
Online condolences may be made at www.goodwincaleharnish.com