Kelly David Cleaver, Sr.

Kelly David Cleaver Sr. Age 62 passed away Thursday April 18th, 2025, peacefully at his home in Alanson Michigan.  Kelly was born November 13, 1962, in Phillipsburg New Jersey to the late Harry E. Cleaver Sr. And Joan R. (Colucci) Cleaver. 

The second to the youngest of 6 boys, Kelly spent most of his youth in New Jersey until the family relocated to Arizona.  No matter what area the family lived in you could find Kelly playing whatever sport was in season.  He was known for playing Short Stop.  During senior year in high School his skill at the position led him to set school and state records. Team Co- Captain, Team MVP, a spot on the Arizona Coaches Association All-Star Team. State record for Fewest Strikeouts (he had zero), School Career Assist Record (115). 

He was inducted into the Yuma High School Athletic Hall of Fame in October of 2023. He earned full ride scholarships to Arizona Western College and to Fort Hays State University in Kansas where again he set a record for School Single Season Walks (51). 

 As a youth, in the off-season Kelly was a highly sought out player for local Softball teams, playing against grown men. In 2011 Kelly was inducted into the inaugural Class of the Yuma Softball Hall of fame. That same year he became a published author with his first book “Sorry Kid I don't much feel like Playing Today”. 

To his family, wife Linda, daughter Katie, son-in-law Adam Henning and their two sons, Sawyer and Landon, sons Kelly Jr. and Max (Anne); Kelly was known for his homemade perogies which were an all-day family event and the teaching of how to make spaghetti sauce right.  Always present at their sporting events, making friends with the other parents and team members.  He taught his kids three important things:  How to be a good person, sportsmanship and no matter what, always bring a Freezy home to dad.   

Kelly will be missed by his two remaining brothers, Harry (Hunce) Cleaver Jr.,wife Gail, John (Rosa) Cleaver. Sisters-in-laws Colleen O’Neill, Sharon Wager, Sharyl (Lyle) Wolf, Valerie Budnik, Michele Caro and Jodie Cleaver and brother-in-law Terry Ford.  Many nieces and nephews and the best friend a man could ever have, Bill (Roberta) Schlerf.   

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Steve (Teets), Mike and Jimmy; and mother and father-in-law Harold and Esther Daniels; sister-in-law Kathy Ford and brother-in-law Chuck Wagar.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 24th at Stone Funeral Home beginning at 1:00 pm with the funeral following at 2:30 pm.   

Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy, please consider a donation to Kelly’s family to help with final expenses, C/O Linda Cleaver.

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