Cleveland, Clyde Stewart 1919-2004

CLEVELAND, STEWART, SCHWARTZ, DEY

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 12/2/2004 at 18:38:40

Clyde Stewart Cleveland
December 02, 2004

Clyde Stewart Cleveland, 85, of Fairfield died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Jefferson County Hospital.

A private family service with full Masonic rites will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Jefferson County Civic Center, National Rifle Association, a charity of the donor's choice or to the family at PO Box 2366, Fairfield 52556.

Mr. Cleveland was born Sept. 11, 1919, in Hammond, Ind., the son of Clyde and Mildred Stewart Cleveland. He married Margaret Schwartz Aug. 3, 1946, in Hammond. She later died.

He grew up in northwest Indiana. He curtailed his education at Indiana University to serve in the military during World War II. He was a decorated Spitfire pilot and flight trainer.

During his second tour of duty, he was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea and held prisoner in northern Germany for 18 months. After escaping from the prisoner of war camp, he spent the remainder of the war with a Russian tank command.

He was employed as railroad detective by Penn Central Railroad in Indiana until his retirement.

A national pistol-shooting champion, he won many awards with NPOA, IPSC, Glock and other organizations. After retirement to San Diego, Calif., he continued to shoot competitively and served as range officer at several shooting ranges. He was a shooting instructor and lifetime National Rifle Association member.

Mr. Cleveland was a 32nd-degree Mason with McKinley Lodge in Indiana.

He enjoyed swimming and playing golf and handball.

Survivors include two children, Clyde Cleveland and wife Debbie and Coralee Cleveland Dey and husband John, all of Fairfield; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Bettye.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2004