Gary "Butch" Lee Cleveland, 78, of DeWitt, MI passed away Dec. 5, 2020. He was born Jan. 23, 1942 in Lansing, MI to Everett and Wilma (Rush) Cleveland. Gary graduated from Eastern High School with the class of 1960. He married Sandra Lee Hoffman on Aug. 18, 1962. Gary retired from General Motors in July of 1997 after 34 years of service.
He always had a smile on his face which lit up his baby blue eyes. He enjoyed playing cribbage with family and friends. When it came to fixing things, if duct tape or a bungee cord couldn’t repair it, he would call on his father-in-law. Upon retirement, he enjoyed his morning coffee with his buddies at MacDonald’s. He and Sandra spent a few winters in Arizona in their 5th wheel, and then settled into a condo in Gulf Shores, AL. They made many new friends and liked to dine out in favorite restaurants, and to try out new ones. Gary also made new friends at Robinwood Landing Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. He was known as “Gar Bear” to the caregivers and residents.
Surviving to cherish Gary’s memory are wife of 58 years, Sandra; children, LeAnn (Joseph III) Lorenc, Robert “Bob” (Lisa) Cleveland; grandchildren, Joseph “Joey” Lorenc IV, Hailey and Cody Cleveland; brother, Everett (Gerald) Cleveland; sisters, Sharon Smith, Janet (Jack) Peru, and several nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by infant daughter, Barbara Ann Cleveland.
A socially distanced visitation for family and friends will take place Thursday Dec. 10th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt. A graveside service will follow at noon at East Lawn Memory Gardens in Okemos.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gary may be made to Alzheimer’s Association and Robinwood Landing Alzheimer’s Special Care Center.
