Obituary of John R. Cleveland

Chestertown: John R. “Rollie” Cleveland, 81, of VanGuilder Road, passed away peacefully, Thursday, June 11, 2015 at the Glens Falls Hospital following a brief illness. Born May 16, 1934 on VanGuilder Road in Chestertown, he was the son of the late John G. and Blanch E. “Maggie” (VanGuilder) Cleveland. Following his graduation from Lake George High School, Rollie began his working career delivering bread to the North Country, where he met his future wife, Shirley R. Allen in Bakers Mills in 1954. The couple wed on June 30, 1956 at the Bakers Mills Wesleyan Church. He began working in the woods with his father as self employed logger as a teen, where he remained for the majority of his life. He retired from Asplundh Brush Control, ending his logging career. Rollie wasn’t a man to sit still, and upon his retirement, he began working for the North Warren School as a custodian, maintenance at Point-O-Pines in Brant Lake, and drove truck and heavy equipment for Bernice Bolton of Brant Lake and Lambert Excavating of Chestertown. Rollie was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. For many years, he and his friends would travel to Canada to hunt moose. He always said he would shave his beard when he got his first moose. Rollie still has his beard. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his daughter, Shelly R. Cleveland, and uncles, Gerald and Ray VanGuilder. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Shirley R. Cleveland of Chestertown; his children: Lance Cleveland and his wife, Bonnie of Brant Lake; John A. ‘Beaner” Cleveland and his wife, Sheri of Chestertown; Tanya Wemett and her husband, Jeffrey of Chestertown; his siblings: Janice Corliss and her husband, Boyd of Wilton; John J. Cleveland and his wife, Brenda of Warrensburg; Carole Cleveland of Warrensburg; Amy Witherbee and her husband, Richard of Queensbury; his step-mother, Ada Cleveland; his grandchildren: Scott and Eric Kramar, Roman Cleveland, Macarie and Adam Cleveland, Jordan, Katarina, and Nolan Wemett; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. At Rollie’s request, there are no calling hours scheduled. A celebration of Rollie’s life will be held from 1 to 5 pm, Sunday, June 14, 2015 at his home, 213 VanGuilder Road, Chestertown, NY 12817. Family and friends are encouraged bring a memory to share. Rollie’s earthly remains will be laid to rest in Chester Rural Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.