Leonard G. Stover
March 11th, 1957 - April 22nd, 2026
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Leonard's Obituary
Leonard “Lennie” Gregory Stover, 69, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, with his two daughters by his side. He was surrounded by love until the very end, and in one final act of extraordinary generosity, Lennie gave the gift of life through organ donation. It was a fitting reflection of a man who spent his entire life giving to others.
Lennie lived boldly, loved deeply, and left every place better than he found it.
Born on March 11, 1957, in Dowagiac, Michigan, to Lester and Betty (Fryman) Stover, Lennie was raised with the values that would define his life: hard work, determination, and a notorious disregard for unnecessary limitations. He graduated from Dowagiac Union High School before attending Hillsdale College, where he earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Accounting, minored in Business Law, and excelled both academically and athletically. A three-year starting offensive lineman, he served as football captain during his senior year and also played baseball. He later co-founded the Hillsdale College Gridiron Club and proudly served on the Alumni Board.
No matter the pursuit, Lennie approached his work with passion, intelligence, and unmistakable charisma. For more than 22 years, he served as a financial advisor, helping clients navigate life’s important decisions with wisdom and integrity. Later, he channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into Stover Construction, where he brought craftsmanship, problem-solving, and an exceptional ability to connect with people to every project he undertook.
Lennie’s greatest professional legacy, however, is found outdoors. A passionate advocate for trails and greenways, he played an instrumental role in developing and preserving some of Northeast Ohio’s most treasured community green spaces. Most notably, he was a co-founder of the Red Line Greenway, a 2.5-mile trail connecting Cleveland neighborhoods to the lakefront and downtown. Beginning in 1991 through the Rotary Club of Cleveland, Lennie devoted countless hours to fundraising, strategic planning, negotiating, advocating, and organizing volunteer efforts that helped bring the vision to life.
If there was brush to clear, trash to pick up, debris to haul, or a trail to bring to life, Lennie was probably already there, and very likely on a tractor.
He spent decades beautifying multi-use trails, leading volunteer groups, giving tours, and putting his chainsaw, tractor, and boundless energy to excellent use. His fingerprints can also be found on projects including Snake Hill Trail and Veterans Trail in Hudson. Inspired by his farming roots and his hardworking parents, Lennie believed deeply in stewardship. His legacy will continue to grow beneath the feet of everyone who walks, runs, or rides the trails he helped create.
Lennie was, in every sense, a force of nature. A disruptor, a builder, and a fearless and tireless leader guided by the philosophy: “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me?” He wasn’t afraid to try new things and to push the boundaries when he truly believed in something. He had an infectious laugh, an unfiltered sense of humor, and lived life like one big dashing and bold adventure. He loved AC/DC, dirt biking, football, baseball, basketball, and any activity involving a chainsaw, a tractor, or both. He firmly believed that most things could be fixed with a little duct tape, some ingenuity, and a healthy dose of optimism.
More than any accomplishment, Lennie was proudest of his family. He cherished his two beloved daughters, Michele Byrne and Melanie Graf. He was a loving and devoted “Bapa” to his grandchildren Blair, Nora, and Rowan, delighting in every opportunity to encourage, impart wisdom, and make them laugh.
He could build almost anything, fix nearly everything, and always had thoughtful advice when it was needed most. He was bright, honorable, hardworking, deeply curious, and endlessly generous. His memory will live on not only through the green trails he championed, but also through his grandchildren and the countless lives he touched in his community.
Gone too soon, his family takes comfort in knowing that he is now at peace in God’s loving arms, reunited with those who passed before him—perhaps spending eternity on a tractor, improving heavenly trails and organizing volunteer crews. Lennie will be profoundly missed and forever remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Lennie is survived by his mother, Betty Stover; his daughters, Michele (Brian) Byrne and Melanie (Brian) Graf; his cherished grandchildren, Blair Byrne, Nora Byrne, and Rowan Graf; his brother, Duane (Debbie) Stover; his sisters, Donna Singleton, Diane (Todd) Schultz, and Wanda (Les) Bloom; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Stover, in 2018.
Friends may attend his service on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Starks Family Funeral Homes - Clark Chapel, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, MI. A procession to Riverside Cemetery (400 Riverside Dr.) will immediately follow. Afterwards, friends and family are invited to raise a glass and celebrate Lennie’s remarkable life at Oak & Ash (109 S Front St.) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Please RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/3x8tuajj.
A celebration of life will also be held in Cleveland, OH at a later date. More details to come.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honor Lennie by becoming CPR certified—a practical act of service in the spirit of his generosity. Memorial contributions may also be made to Metroparks Trail Fund - https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/support/donate/fund-information/trails-fund. Metroparks Trail Fund is an organization that supports trail development and with which Lennie worked closely. These gifts will help advance his loftiest dream: the completion of Phase III of the Red Line Greenway. To learn more or get involved in these efforts, please visit http://www.facebook.com/RedLineGreenway.
Those wishing to share a memory or leave condolences are invited to visit Lennie’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
Lennie lived boldly, loved deeply, and left every place better than he found it.
Born on March 11, 1957, in Dowagiac, Michigan, to Lester and Betty (Fryman) Stover, Lennie was raised with the values that would define his life: hard work, determination, and a notorious disregard for unnecessary limitations. He graduated from Dowagiac Union High School before attending Hillsdale College, where he earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Accounting, minored in Business Law, and excelled both academically and athletically. A three-year starting offensive lineman, he served as football captain during his senior year and also played baseball. He later co-founded the Hillsdale College Gridiron Club and proudly served on the Alumni Board.
No matter the pursuit, Lennie approached his work with passion, intelligence, and unmistakable charisma. For more than 22 years, he served as a financial advisor, helping clients navigate life’s important decisions with wisdom and integrity. Later, he channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into Stover Construction, where he brought craftsmanship, problem-solving, and an exceptional ability to connect with people to every project he undertook.
Lennie’s greatest professional legacy, however, is found outdoors. A passionate advocate for trails and greenways, he played an instrumental role in developing and preserving some of Northeast Ohio’s most treasured community green spaces. Most notably, he was a co-founder of the Red Line Greenway, a 2.5-mile trail connecting Cleveland neighborhoods to the lakefront and downtown. Beginning in 1991 through the Rotary Club of Cleveland, Lennie devoted countless hours to fundraising, strategic planning, negotiating, advocating, and organizing volunteer efforts that helped bring the vision to life.
If there was brush to clear, trash to pick up, debris to haul, or a trail to bring to life, Lennie was probably already there, and very likely on a tractor.
He spent decades beautifying multi-use trails, leading volunteer groups, giving tours, and putting his chainsaw, tractor, and boundless energy to excellent use. His fingerprints can also be found on projects including Snake Hill Trail and Veterans Trail in Hudson. Inspired by his farming roots and his hardworking parents, Lennie believed deeply in stewardship. His legacy will continue to grow beneath the feet of everyone who walks, runs, or rides the trails he helped create.
Lennie was, in every sense, a force of nature. A disruptor, a builder, and a fearless and tireless leader guided by the philosophy: “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me?” He wasn’t afraid to try new things and to push the boundaries when he truly believed in something. He had an infectious laugh, an unfiltered sense of humor, and lived life like one big dashing and bold adventure. He loved AC/DC, dirt biking, football, baseball, basketball, and any activity involving a chainsaw, a tractor, or both. He firmly believed that most things could be fixed with a little duct tape, some ingenuity, and a healthy dose of optimism.
More than any accomplishment, Lennie was proudest of his family. He cherished his two beloved daughters, Michele Byrne and Melanie Graf. He was a loving and devoted “Bapa” to his grandchildren Blair, Nora, and Rowan, delighting in every opportunity to encourage, impart wisdom, and make them laugh.
He could build almost anything, fix nearly everything, and always had thoughtful advice when it was needed most. He was bright, honorable, hardworking, deeply curious, and endlessly generous. His memory will live on not only through the green trails he championed, but also through his grandchildren and the countless lives he touched in his community.
Gone too soon, his family takes comfort in knowing that he is now at peace in God’s loving arms, reunited with those who passed before him—perhaps spending eternity on a tractor, improving heavenly trails and organizing volunteer crews. Lennie will be profoundly missed and forever remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Lennie is survived by his mother, Betty Stover; his daughters, Michele (Brian) Byrne and Melanie (Brian) Graf; his cherished grandchildren, Blair Byrne, Nora Byrne, and Rowan Graf; his brother, Duane (Debbie) Stover; his sisters, Donna Singleton, Diane (Todd) Schultz, and Wanda (Les) Bloom; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Stover, in 2018.
Friends may attend his service on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Starks Family Funeral Homes - Clark Chapel, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, MI. A procession to Riverside Cemetery (400 Riverside Dr.) will immediately follow. Afterwards, friends and family are invited to raise a glass and celebrate Lennie’s remarkable life at Oak & Ash (109 S Front St.) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Please RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/3x8tuajj.
A celebration of life will also be held in Cleveland, OH at a later date. More details to come.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honor Lennie by becoming CPR certified—a practical act of service in the spirit of his generosity. Memorial contributions may also be made to Metroparks Trail Fund - https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/support/donate/fund-information/trails-fund. Metroparks Trail Fund is an organization that supports trail development and with which Lennie worked closely. These gifts will help advance his loftiest dream: the completion of Phase III of the Red Line Greenway. To learn more or get involved in these efforts, please visit http://www.facebook.com/RedLineGreenway.
Those wishing to share a memory or leave condolences are invited to visit Lennie’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
Memorial Contributions
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