A memorial service was Thursday for Minden resident and Trinity Lutheran Church Deacon Jonathan Dale 'Cleve' Cleveland, 46, who died Jan. 17, 2010, at his home.
Born July 13, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Henry and Elsie Beatrice Gilmore Parker, he was adopted by Jerry Cleveland. Everett Brown was Jonathan's stepfather.
Deacon Cleveland was baptized June 6, 1971, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Cleveland. He proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ and became a confirmed member of the body of Christ at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in May 1980.
He married Rosalind Love June 15, 1991. They have three daughters, Myeshia, Rochelle, and Ebony.
Deacon Cleveland graduated from Concordia University, Portland, Ore., in 1987, from where he accepted his first call as director of Christian education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Portland. He served Trinity from 1988-1996 and again from 2000-08. He also attended classes at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.
Pastor Eric Borchers installed him as the director of Christian education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gardnerville on March 29. His duties included working with the Trinity Lutheran Church Child Care Center, overseeing the youth programs of the congregation, liaison to the educational programs in the church and child care center and serving as instructor for the eighth-grade confirmation class.
Approved as a deacon in Trinity by the California-Nevada Hawaii District president and the church council, he was inducted into the office of deacon by Pastor Russell Howen Nov. 1, 2009. With Trinity's Praise Team, Deacon Cleveland took charge of the Sierra Spirit Worship Service.
He was a member of the Board for Black Ministry Services of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Deacon Cleveland has served as Cub Scout leader, basketball coach, substitute teacher and music teacher. Besides being involved in community affairs, he enjoyed sports, refereeing, playing with kids, leading chapel, hosting lock-ins, and attending National Lutheran Youth gatherings.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Deacon Cleveland is survived by daughters Myeshia of Eugene, Ore., Rochelle and Ebony of Minden; his ex-wife Rosalind of Portland; brothers Henry and Jerry; three sisters Vicki, Stracy and Stacy; and a host of nieces and nephews.
FitzHenry's Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
