Myrna J. Cleveland

Myrna J. Cleveland, 80, of South Haven, Michigan and Haines City, Florida died on June 19, 2011 at her winter home in Haines City, Florida surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 4, 1931 to William and Irene (Hoelz) Fooy in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She married the love of her life Donald Cleveland on April 22, 1950 in Bangor, Michigan.

Myrna worked side by side with her husband Don of 61 years in many business ventures in Kalamazoo and South Haven Michigan always encouraging and supporting him in everything he did. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. Her family meant everything to her and was the joy of her life. Myrna was a member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Haines City, Florida and an Associate Member of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Haven, Michigan. Myrna was very active in the “Knit one, Prayer too” Prayer Shawl ministry at Peace Lutheran Church knitting over 100 prayer shawls for others. She also was a member of the quilting groups at both Lamb of God and Peace Lutheran Church. Myrna was known for the smiles she shared with everyone she came in contact with.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister – Judena Fooy, great granddaughter – Zoee Aldridge, one sister-in-law – Charlene Fooy and one brother-in-law – Walter Laubscher.

She is survived by her husband – Donald Cleveland of South Haven, Michigan and Haines City, Florida her children – Donald (Tammy) Cleveland Jr. of Winter Haven, Florida, William (Valerie) Cleveland of Portage, Michigan, Coleen (Bill) Daggett of South Haven, Michigan and Conee (John) Sousa of Dartmouth, Mass.,. Two sisters – Marilynn Laubscher of San Rafael, California and Emmelynn Balsis of South Haven, Michigan, one brother – Charles Fooy of Paw Paw, Michigan and 7 grandchildren – Dan Cleveland, Laura (James) Davis, Scott (Karen) Cleveland, Jennifer (Gary) Gill, Erika Daggett, Linsdey Sousa and Jay Sousa and 6 great grandchildren – Tristan Gill, Sydney Aldridge, Addie Gill, LJ Davis, Alyssa Davis and Renee Cleveland, and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 7, 2011 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. A “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Haven, Michigan with Rev. Robert Linstrom officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church.
Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, Michigan, 637-0333.