Marvin Cleave

Marvin E. Van Cleave, age 90, passed away peacefully at Oakwood Village, East, June 7th, 2013.
The son of Guy James and Verna (Johnston) Van Cleave, Marvin was born December 8, 1922, in Montezuma, Iowa. After graduating high school as the valedictorian, he attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, on a Des Moines Register & Tribune scholarship, earned while working as local paper boy. While attending Central College in Pella IA, he met Naomi Abrahams, who became his life partner and love of his life .
On graduation from Central College in 1943, Marvin enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He served as a weather forecaster and flight controller in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He and Naomi were married in 1944. He was discharged from the Army in 1946 as a Captain. Following a year of teaching high school, Marvin enrolled at Drake University and earned his MA degree in actuarial science. He was an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society. His first professional position was with the Iowa Department of Insurance. In 1956 he moved to Madison, Wisconsin to assume the position of Chief of the Rates Division of the Office of Commissioner of Insurance. He retired from this department as Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Insurance in 1987.
Marvin is survived by his loving wife, Naomi, and children Mark and Cindy (Diller) Van Cleave of Menomonee Falls; Bruce and Mary (Lindl) Van Cleave of Mequon, Wisconsin; Barbara and David Sheridan of Columbia, South Carolina; and Jay and Julie (Hanson) Van Cleave of Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Marvin enjoyed all 11 of his grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Marvin was a long term member of First Baptist Church, Madison, and served in many leadership positions in the church. Marvin and Naomi enjoyed travelling the world, gardening in the backyard and spending time with family and friends.
Funeral services will be Sunday afternoon, June 9th at 3 p.m. at the chapel in Oakwood Village East. The family will greet visitors after the service at Oakwood.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 518 N. Franklin Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53705.