Cleo Marlene Walling was born on March 12, 1926, in Jodie, Fayette County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Howard Clinton Grose and his wife Eugenia Grace (Nee Brown). Cleo was baptized with her sister Ethel (Mickey) and brother Howard (Bill) at the Methodist church in the community.

Cleo attended the elementary school in Jodie and high school at the Gauley Bridge High School in Beach Glen, West Virginia. After graduation she worked as a secretary and dental hygienist.  Following World War II she moved with other family members to the Detroit area due to the economic opportunities available in the area. She worked as a secretary for the Socony Vacuum Company - today's Mobil Oil.

It was after her move to the Detroit area that she met Gerry Walling. She remarked that while she had been on a number of first dates, the one that was really important was her first date with Gerry. Following confirmation instructions with Pastor Press at St. John's Lutheran Church, she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Cleo and Gerry were married on May 28, 1948, at St. John's. The couple settled on Lotz Road in Canton where Gerry built the house in which they would live for many years.

Their first daughter, Linda, was born on July 30, 1953. Daughter Pam followed on June 5, 1955. Cleo's life centered around caring for her husband and her daughters.

In 1959 St. John's Lutheran School found itself without a kindergarten teacher. A plan was devised whereby mothers would take turns serving as the classroom teacher for the course of the school. Cleo agreed to teach for six weeks, but after thinking about it, she felt that the frequent changing of teachers would not be good for the students, and offered to teach the entire school year. Twenty-nine years later she retired as the kindergarten teacher at St. John's at the conclusion of the 1987-1988 school year. Described by a former vicar of St. John's as a "classy" teacher, she taught for many years in a dress, high heels, and jewelry. Her greatest love in the classroom was her students. Cleo often talked about them and enjoyed watching their lives develop as they entered high school, college, and careers in life.

In retirement she and Gerry traveled to a variety of locations in the United States and overseas. Daughter Pam and grandson Justin were stationed at several military posts during these years. Daughter Linda and her family by this time were settled in Watertown, Wisconsin. Gerry died after a brief illness on May 14, 1996.

Cleo led an active life in the years following Gerry's death. In 2016 she moved to the senior complex in The Village of Westland which she greatly enjoyed.

The Lord called Cleo home unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. She is survived by her daughter Linda (James) of Watertown, WI; and grandchildren Justin (Sarah) Walling of Belleville, MI; Jonathan (Amanda) Moeller of River Falls, WI; Matthew Moeller of Milwaukee, WI; Meredith Moeller of Janesville, WI; Joel (Lana) Moeller of Katy, TX; and Mark Moeller of Oshkosh, WI. She was privileged to have four great-grandchildren: Mackenna, Anna, and Luke Walling and Beckett Moeller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald F. Walling, daughter Pamela Kay Walling; parents Howard and Eugenia Grose; siblings June Grose, Clitus Grose, Howard (Bill) Grose, and Ethel (Mickey) Legg; step-siblings Inez Pauline Estep, Hunter Romaine Legg, and Ernest Helene Hodges; and brother-in-law Stanford (Myrtle) Walling.

Auntie Cleo was adored by numerous nephews and nieces. The family especially wishes to thank David and Sandi Legg, Marilyn Walling, Stan and Cathy Walling, and Kim and Randy Blackwood for their assistance in these last years. The quality of life that Cleo had to the end was largely due to their generosity, love, and care.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from St. John's Lutheran Church in Westland, MI, with Pastor Craig Birsching officiating. Burial will take place at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia, MI, where Cleo's earthly remains will be placed next to her beloved Gerry as they await the trumpet call of the Lord's return.

Blessed are those who die in the Lord!

Memorials given in Cleo's name to St. John's Lutheran School are greatly appreciated.