(From Parker Mortuary)William "Bill" VanCleave, 81, of Galena, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was Born April 21, 1940 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the son of the late Luther and Marjorie (Payne) VanCleave. Bill was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Galena, Kansas.
After graduating Southeast High School, Lincoln, Nebraska, he received a scholarship to play football. He was a Junior College All-American and was selected as an all-conference player during the 1961-62 football seasons at Fort Scott Community College.
After leaving Fort Scott in the spring of 1962, Bill transferred to Northeastern State College at Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. He was a two-year letterman for the Redmen Football Team.
During this time, Bill was All-Conference for two years and in 1963 made the NAIA All-American Team. He was a member of Northeastern State University’s undefeated 1963 team.
After graduation, he married Donna Rebholz on June 15, 1963. Bill started his teaching and coaching career in Joplin, Missouri. He left Joplin and went to Baxter Springs, Kansas from 1966-1969, coaching football, wrestling, and track. In 1969 and 1970, Bill went to Jay, Oklahoma as the athletic director, head football, wrestling, and track coach.
After graduation, he married Donna Rebholz on June 15, 1963. Bill started his teaching and coaching career in Joplin, Missouri. He left Joplin and went to Baxter Springs, Kansas from 1966-1969, coaching football, wrestling, and track. In 1969 and 1970, Bill went to Jay, Oklahoma as the athletic director, head football, wrestling, and track coach.
Bill left the education field for the next five years and became a state director for a life insurance company. With his children starting school, he wanted to return to the education field.
Bill received a Master of Science degree from Pittsburg State University in 1976. He was principal in Galena, Kansas at the Spring Grove Elementary School for 22 years. He was awarded Galena B.P.O.E. Citizen of the Year in 1995. He retired in 1998 from administration only to continue to serve public education. In July of 1999, he was elected school board member in the Galena School District and he continued serving the district until 2021.
Bill was an integral part of his family. His devotion as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was seen and known by all. He enjoyed gardening and canning the fruits of his labor. He spent time raising cows and pigs. He liked sitting on his deck while he solved the problems of the world.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Tom VanCleave, Luther “Van” VanCleave, Dewey “Bud’ VanCleave, and sister, Carol Jarvis.
He is survived by wife, Donna VanCleave, of over 58 years. sister, Marjorie Marcelino and brother-in-law, Ron Marcelino of Crete Nebraska. son, Toby VanCleave and daughter-in-law Shelli VanCleave of Galena, Kansas, daughter Wendy Martin and son-in-law, Doug Martin of Galena, Kansas, daughter, Jenny Georgie and son-in-law, Shawn Georgie of Lawrence, Kansas, grandchildren: Whittney and Lyle Burditt, Jacoby and Laci Martin, Tyler and Marissa VanCleave, Kansas and Gage Girton, Michael Georgie, Macey and Grant North, Matthew Georgie, Mason Georgie, and great-granddaughter, Hartleigh Martin.
The funeral Mass will be on Friday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at the St. Patrick’s Church in Galena, Kansas, with Father Jeremy Huser presiding. A private family burial service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, KS.
Bill was an integral part of his family. His devotion as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was seen and known by all. He enjoyed gardening and canning the fruits of his labor. He spent time raising cows and pigs. He liked sitting on his deck while he solved the problems of the world.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Tom VanCleave, Luther “Van” VanCleave, Dewey “Bud’ VanCleave, and sister, Carol Jarvis.
He is survived by wife, Donna VanCleave, of over 58 years. sister, Marjorie Marcelino and brother-in-law, Ron Marcelino of Crete Nebraska. son, Toby VanCleave and daughter-in-law Shelli VanCleave of Galena, Kansas, daughter Wendy Martin and son-in-law, Doug Martin of Galena, Kansas, daughter, Jenny Georgie and son-in-law, Shawn Georgie of Lawrence, Kansas, grandchildren: Whittney and Lyle Burditt, Jacoby and Laci Martin, Tyler and Marissa VanCleave, Kansas and Gage Girton, Michael Georgie, Macey and Grant North, Matthew Georgie, Mason Georgie, and great-granddaughter, Hartleigh Martin.
The funeral Mass will be on Friday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at the St. Patrick’s Church in Galena, Kansas, with Father Jeremy Huser presiding. A private family burial service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, KS.
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