By on Thursday, November 2, 2000 - 05:10 pm:
I'm not sure whether this is the appropriate place to post this message, and hope this does not offend anyone. It's with great sorrow, I write this message to inform those that knew and work along side Ralph "Cleve" Cleveland (my Father-In-Law) aboard the USS Maryland, that he passed away this past Saturday, after a courageous and valiant battle with cancer. I am thankful he was fortunate enough to attend the most recent ship's reunion in Denver. Below is the obituary from the local paper:
Ralph E. Cleveland
Dec. 18, 1921 - Oct. 28, 2000
Ralph E. Cleveland of Longmont, CO died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000, at his home following a battle with cancer. He was 78.
A lifelong resident of Longmont, he was born Dec. 18, 1921, to Ralph E. and Corrine (Schlupp) Cleveland. He graduated from Longmont High School in 1940 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter.
He served in both World War II and the Korean War aboard the USS Maryland and was in the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1954.
He married Mary Lorene Ross in Longmont on Jan. 4, 1950.
He served for several years as the service manager at Holister Dodge in Boulder, and later worked in security at the FAA's Longmont facility.
He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, American Legion Post 32, VFW Post 2601 and the AARP. He participated for many years in the American Legion Color Guard and particularly enjoyed traveling with the competition squad. He also enjoyed Navy reunions. He liked to fish and hunt at Beaver Lake.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Earl L. Cleveland; two daughters, Cheryl Metzler and her husband Bill and Denise Parsons and her husband Ron; and four grandchildren, David and Laura Metzler, and Travis and Mitchell Parsons, all of Longmont.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Vigil services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. at Howe Mortuary. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. on Tuesday until the start of the vigil. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, with the Rev. Brian Morrow as celebrant. Cremation will follow. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 32 Honor Guard.