Leon E. Cleaver

Leon E. Cleaver, 83, of Vermilion, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 19, 2025, following a sudden illness.

He was born June 7, 1942, in Lorain, Ohio, and had made Vermilion his home for the past 57 years after moving from Lorain.

Leon proudly served in the United States Air Force as a control tower operator, where he was stationed in Itazuke, Japan, and developed a lifelong passion for aviation. He later worked as a PATCO Air Traffic Controller at the Oberlin Center for 21 years before continuing his career with the Department of Defense, where he eventually retired.

A devoted member of the Vermilion United Church of Christ Congregational and a lifelong member of St. John’s UCC, Lorain Leon served as president of the church council and was committed to his faith community. He enjoyed sporting events and was an avid collector with a special interest in military aviation and dreamed of one day opening a military aviation museum. Above all, Leon treasured time spent with his family, especially during their outings and vacations together.

Leon is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alice (née Feldkamp) Cleaver; his children, Amy Lee Cleaver and Tracey (Jay Eckleberry) Spalding, both of Vermilion, and Jason Edward (Dawn Lehky) Cleaver of Amherst; grandchildren, Hailey, Jacob, Madelyn, Matthew, Taylor (Austin) Curbow, and Brandon; great-grandchildren, Hazel and Caiden; and his brother, Todd (Linda Lerner) Cleaver of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry M. and Elsa Marie (née Friesenhengst) Cleaver.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Vermilion.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermilion United Church of Christ Congregational, 990 State Street, P.O. Box 228, Vermilion, OH 44089.

Online condolences may be shared at www.riddlefuneralhome.com

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