Cleo Marie Stevens

Cleo's life began on November 29, 1916 in Mount Pleasant, MI, the daughter of Curtis E. and Nora (Conrad) Showalter. She was united in marriage to Leeland Curtiss, who precedes her in death and then married to Lester R. Stevens, who also precedes her in death. Cleo was a longtime member of the Dowagiac First United Methodist Church and the church's Martha Esther Circle. She belonged to the Dowagiac Junior Arts League, the Dowagiac Elk's Lodge Antlerettes, former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Dowagiac Garden Club, and Beta Gamma Epsilon Sorority. She was an avid bridge player and belonged to several bridge clubs. Her greatest joy was her family which includes her children Leland “Gene” (Jane) Curtiss of West Olive, MI, Gary (Sandy) Curtiss of Mattawan, MI, Carol (Roger) Brock of Otsego, MI, ten grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren and a sister in law Virginia Showalter of Winn, MI. Cleo passed away on April 29, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. She is preceded in death by a son Frederick Stevens, daughter in law Kathleen Stevens, a sister Hope Brownridge and a brother Russell Showalter. Her family will gather with friends on Sunday 2-4 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel (405 Center St. Dowagiac). Her funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Dowagiac First United Methodist Church led by Reverend John Kasper. She will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Dowagiac First United Methodist Church or to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan (Rose Arbor). Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Cleo at www.yazel-clark.com.