Elva Jean Cleland

  Elva Jean Cleland passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on January 1, 2024, at Stonegate Village of Sandusky at the age of 90.   She was born on March 30, 1933, in Hazel Park, Michigan to the late Arthur F. and Alma Boldt and then moved to Palms, Michigan in 1945.  Elva graduated as valedictorian from Deckerville High School in 1951.  After high school, Elva attended the University of Michigan earning a Registered Nursing Degree in 1954. She married her longtime sweetheart, Donald John Cleland, in Forester, Michigan on October 16, 1954. 

          Elva worked in public health as a registered nurse at the Sanilac County Health Department for two years but left to work alongside her husband raising their family north of Deckerville on a dairy and crop farm for over 60 years.

            Elva is survived by her daughters; Patricia Cleland of Saugatuck, Michigan, Joan Cleland of Sandusky, Michigan, and Barbara Cleland-Salko (David) of Weston, Connecticut; son Roger (Kathy) Cleland of Deckerville, Michigan; and grandchildren, Jim (Amy) Heilig of Doha, Qatar, Scott Heilig of Sandusky, Michigan, David Heilig of Seattle, Washington, and Jordan Cleland of Deckerville, Michigan. She also leaves behind several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

            She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Donald J. Cleland, on October 8, 2019, her brother Oren G. Boldt, and sisters-in-law Phyllis Boldt and Eilene Cleland.

            Elva was a member of East Marion Baptist Church for almost 50 years serving her Lord and Savior there by playing the piano, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and as Church Clerk. She loved spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

            The family would like to thank the staff at Stonegate Village Assisted Living for the great care and attention they gave to Elva over the past 14 months.

            Funeral services to celebrate the life of Elva Jean Cleland will be at Noon, January 5, 2024, at the Apsey Funeral Home in Deckerville. Pastors David Frost and Paul Slivka will officiate.  Burial will be in Downing Cemetery, Deckerville.

            Visitation will be at 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

            Memorials can be made to East Marion Baptist Church in Deckerville, Michigan.

            Condolences may be sent online at apseyfuneralhome.net

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