Frank E. Van Cleve

Frank E. Van Cleve, 82, of Waynesburg, PA. died at 8:30 PM Wednesday, January 11, 2017,  at his cabin in Delphine after a long and valiant battle with death Frank succumbed. He had been ill from October 2016 to January of this year.

 He was born Friday, July 06, 1934 in Waynesburg, PA. A son of the late John Edward Van Cleve and Helena Beatrice Landrum Van Cleve.

              Mr. Van Cleve was considered a graduate of Waynesburg High School Class of 1952 and attended Oklahoma A and M in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was a former member of the Experimental Aviation Association and numerous antique engine clubs. Mr. Van Cleve was a member of the Amateur Radio Club, Waynesburg Ham Radio Club, and the Washington Ham Radio Club. He was also a member of the Mon Valley Sports Car Club and the Waynesburg Auto Cross. He was a former member of the Waynesburg Elk's Lodge #757 and the Waynesburg Moose Lodge #461.  He was the President of the family corporation Elms Brothers and Company, Ltd. of Waynesburg.  He was a retired fireman with the Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Company. He was a veteran having served from 1953 to 1959 with the United States Navy where he served as a Navy Pilot.

               He served on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers. He served on Waynesburg Borough Council, Waynesburg Zoning Board, and the Bowlby Library Board.  He was also a licensed private detective. Mr. Van Cleve flew into Oshkosh, Wisconsin and exhibited and flew in airshows in Indiana and the Tri State Area. He restored and exhibited hot air, solar, gasoline, (hit and miss) and steam engines in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Oklahoma, Indiana, Florida, the Tri State Area, and in London, England.

               After his service in the Navy he worked as an Air Traffic Controller in Hawaii. He then worked as a commercial pilot for United Airlines, Mohawk Airlines, Allegheny Airlines and US Air. His name is on the Wall of Honor at the Dulles Air Museum. He then drove school bus, worked for Waynesburg Electric, and was a newspaper columnist for the Greene County Messenger,where he was only known as Wingnut.   

 He is survived by his wife of 60 years: Mary Lucille Eddy Van Cleve, whom he married on October 27, 1956.

 Also surviving are 1 Daughter: Rina (Glenn) Reed, of Baltimore, MD, 1 Son: Frank (Joy) Van Cleve II, of Washington, PA.,  7 Grandchildren: Sarah (Frank) Bearoff, Catherine (Jason) Ealy, Kendal Reed, Ryan Reed, Kayla Huffman, Justin Huffman, Krista Huffman., 1 Great GrandSon: Leroy Ealy, and several nieces and nephews.

 Friends will be received from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 19, 2017 in the Milliken and Throckmorton FH, Inc. Daryl L. Throckmorton Owner/Director,197 N. Maiden St Waynesburg, PA 15370 where services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday, January 20, 2017 with  Rev. William Parker officiating.  Burial will be in Greene Co. Memorial Park, Morgan Twp., Greene County, PA. A visitation by the Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Department will be held at 6:00PM on Thursday, January 19,2016  at the funeral home. Graveside military rites will be accorded by the James Farrell American Legion Post #330 and representatives of the United States Navy.  Information is online at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.