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Submitted: 11/7/21 • Approved: 11/15/21 • Last Updated: 11/18/21 • R1399981-G0-S3
US Navy
World War II
March 12, 1922 - March 31, 2010
*Obituary
Des Moines Register
Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
Merle L. "Van" Van Cleve, age 88 of Ashland, WI, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland.
Van was born March 12, 1922, in Ocheyedan, Iowa the son of F. Herman and Marie (Geronsin) Van Cleve. He was a U.S. Navy, WWII veteran serving in the South Pacific including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was a Golden Glove boxer for many years during the Depression, and boxed professionally for two years. On June 30, 1946, he was united in marriage to Bessie Brooks at Mankato, MN. Van graduated from Mankato State Teachers College with a degree in health and physical education. After teaching high school health, physical education and English for two years in Sleepy Eye, MN, he became a sales manager for Alcoa, the makers of Wear-Ever cookware, moving to Des Moines, IA, and retiring in 1990 after 42 years with the company. Van never met a stranger, and counted many long-time friends as members of his extended family. He and Bess moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 1998. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, a member and supporter of the Des Moines YMCA, and was active in the Lions Club in both Des Moines and Bella Vista. Van played tennis and golf into his early 80's.
Survivors include his sons, Jerry (Monica) of Ashland, WI, Jim (Claudia Strauss) of Claremont, California, Tom (Estella) of Tucson, Arizona and Bill of Ankeny, Iowa; seven grandchildren; one brother, Roger of Des Moines, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Bess, on February 22, 2008; four brothers and one sister.
A Memorial Service for Van will take place at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Des Moines, IA at 11 a.m. on April 26, with interment at Bella Vista Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bella Vista, AR at 1 p.m. on April 29. Memorials may be made to the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, 101 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA, 50313 (www.dmymca.org).The Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ashland and Mellen is assisting the family with arrangements.
Contributed on 11/7/21 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1399981