Garner Lee Cleaver, age 95, of Unionville, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Golden Age Care Center in Centerville. Garner was born on October 23, 1923 in Huggins, Missouri, the son of John and Ethel (Boyer) Cleaver. He was united in marriage to Helen Louise Gray on November 6, 1947 in Williamsburg, Virginia.
To this union, four children were born, Paula, Sharon, John and Jana. Garner was inducted into the United States Army on September 17, 1945 in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He became active duty on December 15, 1945 in Camp Roberts, California.
During his military service, he obtained his Sharpshooter Carbine Marksman Rifle M-1 qualification, and earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on November 17, 1948 in Fort Eustis, Virginia as a Corporal. Garner was a lifelong trucker.
He hauled grain for most of his trucking career. In his retirement, golfing was one of his biggest priorities. He golfed until he was 93.
He loved spending time golfing with his friends. Garner was a member of the Unionville Untied Methodist Church, and the Unionville American Legion, Post #407 in Unionville, Iowa. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone.
Left to honor Garner’s memory are his children, Paula Jones of Centerville, Iowa, John Cleaver of Ottumwa, Iowa and Jana (Mark) Belloma of Centerville, Iowa; daughter in law, Claire Cleaver; grandchildren, Amy (James) Brown, Kelli (Joe) Eickhoff, Kara Jones, Jennifer (Jeremy) Long, Melissa (Mike) Thomsen, Nicole (James) Lange, Emily (Chris) Hansen, Jamie (Randy) McDanolds, Kim (Jordan) Kramer, Sarah (Fiancé Nick Moorman) Belloma, and Jake Belloma; great grandchildren, Garrett (Brandi) Brown, Logan Brown, Jason Eckhoff, Lauren Long, Luke Long, Libby Long, Ryan McDanolds, Brogan McDanolds, Macey McDanolds, Jameson McDanolds, Oliver Lange, Quinn Lange, Jackson Lange, John Frank Moorman, Abraham Moorman, Grace Thomsen, Ellie Thomsen, Braxton Hansen, and Madelyn Hansen; a great great granddaughter, Haylee Brown; niece, Cathy Anderson; and nephew, Gary (Nelda) Cleaver. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Cleaver; his daughter, Sharon Cleaver; his parents, John and Ethel Cleaver; his siblings, Max, Paul and Pauline; and a nephew, Dan Cleaver. Funeral services will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Pastor Joan Ervin officiating.
Burial will follow at the Eaton Cemetery in Unionville, Iowa with Military Rites provided by the Unionville American Legion. A visitation will be held Saturday at Lange Funeral Home with the family greeting friends from 9:30AM-11AM. A memorial has been established to the Unionville American Legion, Post #407 and may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544.
Condolences may be left online at www. langefh.com.
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