Milton Frederick Yeary, 75, of Steelville, MO passed away Sunday, January 3, 2010 at his home. He was born July 21, 1934 in Wesco, Missouri to Milton B. Yeary and Frances E. (Hertlein) Yeary. He was married to Charlotte Tapperson in 1955; together they had six children. In 2004, in his marriage to Carol Ann Rhodes, Milt found true love and a joy they shared together for the remainder of his life. From childhood Milt enjoyed the simple pleasures of growing up on a farm, loved by family and friends. The country school and Steelville High School were followed by four years at Missouri University in Columbia, Missouri where he received his degree in Animal Husbandry. Milt's activities in college included the University Livestock Judging Team. The years 1954-55 were busy with the team competing in the American Royal in Kansas City, the Chicago Livestock Show, and an important show in Denver, Colorado. His team earned good records through these years. After college and marriage, Milt came back to Crawford County and used the land where he grew up as his base. He started his career in agriculture by representing the National Stockyards in Illinois. At the same time he partnered with his parents in the farm that was to become Yeary Farms. A few years later, Milt became manager of Farmer's Production Credit Association with offices in Rolla, Missouri. In that role he became an influence in the lives of the farm families of his district, thirteen mid-Missouri counties. In the early eighties, due to his father's age and health, Milt left PCA and became the driving force within the land that is known as Yeary Farms. Milt's knowledge, wisdom, and hard work, along with his love of the land and his family, made his time on Yeary Farms a wonderful life. Milt was truly a man of the land. He loved and cared for the land his ancestors were granted in 1832. Like his forefathers he knew the hills, valleys, and high meadows, even the river in flood time. They were part of his life. Milt loved God and Nature, as well as the family and friends who made his life so pleasant. He enjoyed the rhythms of nature, the sunrises, the glowing sunsets, the gentle murmur of the Meramac as it ran through past the farm. All of these he generously shared with a large circle of friends. He will be sadly missed by his mother Frances Yeary of Steelville, MO; his wife, Carol Ann Yeary of Steelville, MO; two sons, Miles Yeary of Steelville, MO and Merrit Yeary and partner, Carrie Williams of Seattle, WA; three daughters, Megan Yeary of Cook Station, MO, Meredith Yeary of Seattle, WA and Melissa Yeary and husband Dave Green of Portland, OR; two stepchildren, Scott Mosley and Mark Mosley and wife Becky all of St. Louis, MO; three grandchildren, Noah Green, Cooper Green and Emma Williams; one step-grandson, Wyatt Mosley; one sister, Lorna Reasor and husband George of Atlanta, GA; nieces and nephews, Claudia Haigh and partner, Nick Callivas of Atlanta, GA, Clayton Reasor and wife Jan of Houston, TX, Lydia Dayton and husband Britt of Davidson, NC and Todd Reasor of Quincy, CA; cousin, Bill Freeman and wife Jeannette of Steelville, MO. He was preceded in death by his father, Milton B. Yeary and one son, Matthew Christopher Yeary. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Eulogies were shared by Bill Freeman, Clayton Reasor and Miles Yeary. Special music of "Amazing Grace" and "Precious Memories" were sung and played by Rev. Jerry Beers. Other music of "Still the Rivers All Run Dry" and "Someday" were sung and played by the Yadkin Creek Boys. Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery. Honored to be casket bearers were Jim Thomas, Karen Thomas, Bill Freeman, Clayton Reasor, Johnny Brice, Dale Lunsford, Jim Vaughn and Dillon Parry. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO. Memorials may be given to the Steelville Ministerial Alliance.