John Dorsey Cleaver
John Dorsey Cleaver, age 89, of Beallsville, Pa., died on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 3:12 p.m. in his home. He was born on April 12, 1919, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Harry Cleaver and Marjorie Dorsey Cleaver.
Mr. Cleaver graduated from Centerville High School.
He was a veteran of World War II who served as a Corporal in the United States Army.
He was a member of the Beallsville United Methodist Church, Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 237 in Beallsville, the Uniontown (Pa.) Lodge of Perfection, and the Hancock-McCune-Horne American Legion Post 705 in Centerville, Pa.
He was a former member of the Deemston Grange.
Mr. Cleaver received his degree in Agriculture from Penn State University and, after graduating, worked with his family in their apple orchards. He then established Cleaver’s Greenhouse in Richeyville, Pa., which he and his wife, Ann, operated for 45 years.
Mr. Cleaver was well known for his poinsettias, his favorite flower, that he supplied to many florists and wholesalers throughout western Pennsylvania.
He was also known for his garden plants.
Even after working long hours in the greenhouse, he still enjoyed working in his own yard!
He was particularly proud of his role in providing the land for the Centerville Clinic, now the Yablonski Memorial Clinic. He was honored for that role in 2005 during the clinic’s 50-year celebration.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, is his wife, Anne Olshock Cleaver, who died on March 4, 2003.
He is survived by two sisters: Marjorie Barr of Mesa Arizona, and Mary Swarrow, his caregiver for many years; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the JOHN B. GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, Pa., where Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Gary Gregg officiating.
Interment will follow in the Beallsville Cemetery where Full Military Rites and Honors will be accorded by the Hancock-McCune-Horne American Legion Post 705 of Centerville, Pennsylvania.
On line Register Book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.-GreenleeFuneralHome.com