Donald Earl Cleveland

Donald Earl Cleveland, Sr., 89, of South Haven, Michigan and Haines City, Florida passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017 in Portage, Michigan surrounded by his 4 wonderful children. He was born April 12, 1928, Donald Carl Best in Kalamazoo, Michigan and was placed into the Methodist Children’s Home Society in Pontiac, Michigan. In 1933, Donald was adopted by Earl and Pearl Cleveland of Hazel Park, Michigan, and eventually moved to his hometown of Bangor, Michigan.  Donald graduated from Bangor High School and entered the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II. He married the love of his life Myrna Jean Fooy on April 22, 1950 and shared 61 years of marriage, side by side in each of Don’s ventures until her passing in 2011.  Donald was a self-employed business man who founded Don’s Linoleum and several antique malls. He was also a Real Estate Broker, developer and builder. His hobby and passion for collecting antiques lead to the opening of the Don Cleveland Antique Auto Museum located between Bangor and South Haven.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by his wife Myrna Jean Cleveland.

Donald is survived by his children – Donald (Tammy) Cleveland Jr., of Winter Haven, Florida, William (Valerie) Cleveland of Portage, Michigan, Coleen (William) Daggett of South Haven, Michigan and Conee (John) Sousa of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, nine grandchildren – Daniel (Betsy) Cleveland of Winter Haven, Florida, Laura (James) Davis of Gainesville, Florida, Scott (Karen) Cleveland of Plainwell, Michigan, Jennifer (Gary) Gill of Haines City, Florida, Lindsey Sousa of  Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Jay Cleveland Sousa of  Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Erika Daggett of Denver, Colorado, Nathan Camechis of Englewood, Florida, Tracy (Samuel) Kipe of Dundee, Florida,  eleven great grandchildren – Tristan Gill, Sydney Grace Aldridge, Addie Jean Gill, Renee Cleveland,  James Davis III, Alyssa Davis, Jonah Romero, Micah Aycock, Gabby Aycock, Gavin Kipe and Kaden Kipe.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Celebration of Life services will follow visitation at 2:00 PM at the funeral home  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Donald’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or SouthernCare Hospice, 1911 W. Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49024.