Cleo L. Dainty, 89 of Columbia passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Harry S. Truman VA Hospital in Columbia.

Services will be held at 2 pm, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Springfield Missouri. Gravesite service only with full military honors.

Cleo was born September 7, 1922 in Mindenmines, Missouri to Allen and Pearlie Dainty. Cleo joined the US Navy in 1942 – 1947, serving in the Pacific during World War II, achieving the rank of CPO(E6). Cleo married Lois Mary Mitchell on September 7, 1946. They had two sons, Michael and Patrick. Lois Mary died suddenly in 1958.

Cleo joined the US Army in 1947. Served in the Korean conflict, survivor of the Chosin Reservoir. In 1964, Cleo married Gertraud Neitzel. They had one daughter, Susanne, and one son, Steven. Honorably retired from the Army in 1965 as a CWO3.

In 1966, Cleo went to work for Civil Service in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, remaining until his retirement in 1993.

Preceded in death by both parents and siblings, Nadine Coutney and Maurice G. (Bud) Dainty. Survivors include: Wife Gertraud of Columbia, brother Randall of Phoenix, son Michael and spouse Janene of Tulsa, son Patrick and spouse Patricia of Tulsa, daughter Susanne of Joplin, son Steven of Columbia, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.