James Leonard Cleveland 1920-2010
CLEVELAND, MCDONALD MARTIN
Posted By: Connie J Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/14/2011 at 21:17:56
Sioux City Journal
1 August 2010RODNEY, Iowa -- James L. Cleveland, 90, of Rodney died Friday, July 30, 2010, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rodney United Church of Christ, with Pastor Karen Handke officiating. Burial will follow at Little Sioux Township Cemetery in Smithland, Iowa, with a military flag presentation by Leslie F. Seaton American Legion Post 0666 of Smithland. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Willman Funeral Home in Rodney. Online condolences at pearsonwoodwillman.com.
James Leonard Cleveland, son of Lewis Washburn and Ida Grace (McDonald) Cleveland, was born on March 25, 1920, in Grant Township, Monona County, Iowa. He was raised in Grant Township and attended Rodney Consolidated School; he then went to Mapleton High School, graduating in 1936. On Feb. 6, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the South Pacific until being honorably discharged on April 15, 1946, with the rank of captain at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. James then returned to the farm on which he was born and farmed the land for the next 36 years.
On Feb. 27, 1961, James was united in marriage to Vera Martin in Sioux City. After James retired in 1982, they enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Ariz., and traveling to different states and abroad. Vera passed away on Nov. 20, 2004. James continued to live on the farm until moving to Maple Heights on Oct. 11, 2008.
James was baptized and received into the Rodney Congregational Church by Rev. Harrel on Feb. 1, 1942. He was chairman of the board for the Rodney U.C.C. for more than 50 years; then was an honorary lifetime board member after moving to Mapleton. He was a 60-year member of Leslie F. Seaton American Legion Post 0666 in Smithland.
Grateful for having shared his life are his three nieces, Gracia Forney and husband, Donald of Hornick, Iowa, Pat Aldrich of Onawa, Iowa, and Janet (Cleveland) Bennett of Whiting, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Bedola Gorum of Papillion, Neb., Patty Warren and husband, Donald of Valley, Neb., and Ina Warren of Medford, Minn.; several great-nieces and great-nephews; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vera; two brothers, Byron in infancy and Franz and wife, Millie; two sisters, Dorothy Aldrich and Hazel Cleveland; and two nephews, Lowell Aldrich and Tracy Cleveland.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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