Lloyd Ervine Van Cleve

A service for Pete Van Cleave was held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2011 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry, Iowa. Words of comfort were provided by Father David Polich of St Patrick Catholic Church in Perry. Jan Pattee provided the music and the hymns were: "On Eagle's Wings", "Be Not Afraid", and "Marine Hymn". The honorary casket bearers were Brandon Van Cleave, Zola Summerson, Paul Van Cleave, and Jeanie Laursen. The casket bearers were Joe Van Cleave, Harold Van Cleave, George Van Cleave, Eric Van Cleave, Larry Van Cleave, and Alan Mathews. Burial was at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry with Military Rites provided by the Marine Corps Color Guard of Des Moines. Following the burial there was a luncheon at the St Patrick School Gym. Lloyd Ervin "Pete" Van Cleave son of William and Fonnie Clark Van Cleave was born January 18, 1934 on his parents' farm near Yale and died June 28, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Pete graduated from Bayard High School in 1951. Pete enlisted in the U.S. Marines and was a combat veteran of the Korean War. On September 21, 1957, he married Charlotte Peckumn and they were blessed with two children, Kathleen and Craig. Pete and Charlotte moved to Perry in 1959. Pete had driven trucks, worked for the Railroad, the Foundry in Perry, and later for Firestone from 1960 to 1986. After his retirement, Pete and Charlotte enjoyed traveling. Pete and Charlotte devoted many years of their retirement, taking care of Brandon and included him on many of their vacations. Pete enjoyed coffee times, visiting with friends. He was a "regular" at Perry Bowl when it was open and Hy Vee. Even after Charlotte's death, Pete helped many people quietly, just as they had as a couple. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, wife Charlotte, brother Reid Van Cleave, sisters Melva Conz, and Sharon Ayers and her husband Duane, and brothers-in-law Gene Summerson, Ivan Laursen, sister-in-law Maxine Van Cleave. Pete is survived by his son Craig Van Cleave (Patty) of Perry and daughter Kathleen "Kathi" Mathews (Al) of Placitas NM; a grandson Brandon Van Cleave of Iowa City; five brothers: Paul (Ruby) Van Cleave of Waukee; George (Lois) Van Cleave of Dallas Center; Harold (Brenda) Van Cleave of Perry, MO; Joe (Judy) Van Cleave of Fort Collins, CO; and Don Van Cleave of Washington; two sisters: Zola Summerson of Dawson; and Jeanie Laursen of Gilbert, AZ; brother-in-law George Conz, sisters-in-law Rusty Van Cleave, Nancy Von Bon (Ron), Sally Caraher (Tom), many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.