Cleo "Cowboy" McElroy, age 80, formerly of Blodgett, MO, died Sunday, December 14, 2025, at his home in Diehlstadt, MO.

Born June 25, 1945, at Gray Ridge, MO, to the late James McElroy and Minnie Dean Sweet McElroy, he had lived in Scott County his entire life and had been employed in farming and construction.

On October 20, 1962, he married Brenda Lynch, who survives of the home.

Also surviving are his children, Shannon (Lyle) Davis of Puxico, Joe (Stephanie) McElroy of Sikeston; Greg McElroy of New Madrid and Patricia (Benny) Cohen; 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; his sisters, Shirley James and Sheila Baker both of Sikeston; also, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Lee McElroy; his brother Johnfer Joe McElroy and his sisters, Margaret Privett and Sharon Brown.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at noon, Friday, December 19, 2025, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.  Billy Davis will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Forest Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery near Morley under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Nolan McElroy, Jake Draper, Lyle Davis, Benny Cohen III, Jacob Hale and Kelly Bollinger.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.co