Leroy VanCleave

Leroy E. Van Cleave, 60, Wahpeton, ND died on Thursday January 10, 2013 at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday January 15, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, ND at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Jim Gustafson officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday at the Willow Creek Chapel (920 3rd Avenue North) Wahpeton from 5:00-8:00 P.M., with a 7 PM Prayer Service. There will also be visitation one hour before the service on Tuesday.

Leroy was born March 23, 1952 at Breckenridge, MN the son of Gerald and Kay (Carr) Van Cleave. He grew up south of Wahpeton and attended rural school at Center and Summit. He attended junior high and high school in Wahpeton and entered the US Air Force. Leroy married Patricia Armstrong on December 2, 1972. He served for seven years as an environmental specialist in various bases in the US, including Southeast Asia until 1978, with the rank of Technical Sergeant. He returned to the Wahpeton area and joined the Air National Guard for the next twenty years; being proud of his association with the "Happy Hooligans". During this time he drove truck privately and with Murphy Transfer, Three Rivers Trucking, Wahpeton; Charlie Green and Hi-Tech. He married Eileen Nelson on September 17, 1993, they made their home in Wahpeton. In recent years as health declined he enjoyed remodeling and woodworking.

Leroy enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and gardening. He was a great fan of John Wayne, especially after meeting him. He especially enjoyed his time with his children and grandchildren.

Leroy is survived by his mother, Kay (Van Cleave) Iverson, Wahpeton; his children: Roger (Jamie) Van Cleave-Knotts, Battle Ground, WA; Marie (Vincent) Herberg, Black Hawk, SD; Michael Van Cleave, Wahpeton; Jessica Van Cleave, Wahpeton; grandchildren: Samantha (Kasey) Kaseman, Rapid City, SD; Nicholas Herberg, Black Hawk, SD; Gia and Nevin Van Cleave, Fargo, ND; Jordis and Jaydin Knotts, Battle Ground, WA; two sisters, Terry (Michael) Lee, Berthoud, CO; Sandra (Wayne) Brekke, Mankato, MN; his mother-in-law, Audrey Nelson, Moorhead, MN.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Van Cleave, his wife Eileen, infant grandchildren, Cody Herberg, and Joshua Van Cleave and his father-in-law, James Nelson.