Stephen "Steve" Cleveland '80 August 7, 2024 3:59 PM updated: August 7, 2024 4:08 PM
Stephen Lee "Steve" Cleveland, Capt. USAF (Ret)
January 18, 1951 - July 25, 2024
Stephen (Steve) Lee Cleveland, age 73, passed away on the morning of July 25th, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Steve was born to Jeanne (Zepernick) and Clifton Lee Cleveland, on January 18th, 1951, in Fremont, OH.
He attended Old Fort High School in Old Fort, OH, where his baseball team won the state championship in 1968. This was something he frequently spoke of throughout his life.
He joined the Air Force Academy in 1969, and went on to proudly serve our country during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm eras. He retired as Captain after 24 years. Also, during his Air Force times, he graduated from Texas A&M University and received an Aeronautical Engineering degree.
After the Air Force, he went on to work manufacturing jobs for awhile.
During Steve's younger years, he was a member of the 4H club, often helping on the family farm, played baseball and basketball, and enjoyed running wild with his brothers.
During his older years, he enjoyed coaching his kids sports teams, golfing, wood working, riding his motorcycle, and of course his happy hour at Cowboys Saloon.
Steve spoke of the past often, and loved to tell anyone and everyone stories of his experiences and shenanigans, and he was always quick to make a joke.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jeanne (Zepernick) and Clifton Lee; his brother, Doug; and sister in law, Becky (Rakes).
He is survived by his ex wife, Karen (Wollmuth); his children, Jennifer Mendieta, Jessica "Hemi", Christopher "Buck", and Abby "Doober" (his favorite); granddaughter, Emma Cleveland; his brothers, Lynn (Verna), Pat (Kathy), Terry, Jeff (Jackie), and Shawn (Wendy); his favorite sister, Sarah (Chris Humbert); and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation on Friday, August 2, 2024 from 4-8pm at Wulff Funeral Home, 1485 White Bear Ave, St. Paul, MN 55106.
We will be taking him home to Ohio for another service, and then his final resting place will be at Fort Snelling, MN. Burial service date to be determined.
We all love and miss you, you stubborn old man, but those twinkling eyes will live on forever.