Don Cleveland

 Don Cleveland, 88 of Fairfield, passed away April 7, 2024.

Memorial services will be Friday, April 12, at 10:30am at Fairfield Faith Bible Church. A luncheon at the church to follow the service.

Don was born in McGrew, NE on May 11, 1935, to Lee and Catherine (Bulck) Cleveland.

Don was the fourth of 8 children, he attended school in Harrisburg, NE (Banner County) where he graduated in 1953.

Don worked on ranches and then enlisted in the US Army in June of 1955.

Don was discharged after 1 year and 9 months to work on his brother-in-law's (Dale Shaul) ranch, then onto construction jobs, where he was working in Gordon, NE when he met Joan Skinner. They were married on June 14,1959.

Working on various ranches and was living in Mullen, NE when his young wife and mother of 3 children (Jeff, Justin, JoDee), Joan, passed away in January of 1964.

Don knew his children needed a mother, he met LaVerna Huckins, and they were married and moved with 5 children (John, Dave, Jeff, Justin and JoDee) to Fairfield, MT in June of 1964. LaVerna's daughter, Patty, was married and remained in Nebraska,

Don worked for the Hamilton Ranch for a year and then bought a farm north of Fairfield and began raising cattle, horses, dogs, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys and kids.

He moved the family 3/4 of a mile west to the Radcliffe place where he farmed and raised livestock, drove semi, worked at the farmers union Co-op, calving jobs, whatever it took to provide for his family.

His wife, LaVerna, passed away in May 1979. Don then married Maureen “Moe” Cochran Green, who had 2 young children (Shane, Sara) that were raised on the farm. A few years later Don welcomed his 1 3-year-old niece, Stacy, to come, stay and live with the family.

Don and Moe began buying hogs for the processing plant in California. He would ship 8-10 semi loads a week from various locations.

Don and Moe purchased the Cozy Corner Cafe and jumped into the restaurant business. Don and Moe later divorced.

Don and Steve Forseth expanded their Number Nine Chow Line BBQ catering. They spent many long hours traveling and cooking for local meetings, family reunions, auctions and whatever and wherever the call came from.

Don spent many days working with the Back Country Horseman working on projects and packing supplies in the back country, this is what he always yearned to do, spend time in the great outdoors. He would highlight each trail on his map, so he knew where he had been. Don would take anyone fishing or hunting that wanted to go.

Don finished his working career at the age of 85 when he retired from being a brand inspector in the Fairfield area.

Don served on the Fairfield School board. He was the Fairfield Lamb and Wool Pool chairman for a number of years. Don was a founding member of the Montana Suffolk Sheep Assoc., the Weather beater building in Choteau, and was always available to help with FFA and 4-H livestock judging events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Catherine; brothers, Roy, Jack; and sisters, Ida Lou and Barb. The Singleton stepbrothers and sisters, Merle, Clearence, Tommy, Nora and Geraldine; stepson, Dave Huckins; and sons-in-law, Marvin Schildhauer and Rick Patterson.

Don is survived by brother, Larry; sisters, Catherine and Lois Jean; stepbrother, Earl Singleton; sons, Jeff (Cyd) Cleveland of Conrad and Justin (Pam) Cleveland of Fairfield; daughter, JoDee (Cleveland) Patterson of Windsor, Missouri; stepsons, John Huckins of Fairfield, Shane (Kelly) Green of Chester; stepdaughters, Patricia (Huckins) Schildhauer Bayard of Nebraska and Sara (Ed) Sutherland Limestone of Tennessee.

Survivors also include grandchildren, Marvin Schildhauer Jr. and Patty Jo (Kevin) Valentine, Brandy (Larry) Johnson, Bria (Kort) Koser, Zac (Kari) Cleveland, Jessica Patterson, Jarrett Green, Layne Green, Sayde Sutherland, and Eli Sutherland; great grandsons; nephews, Kolby Koser, Trygg, Teak and Tyse Cleveland; as well as many nieces and friends.

He will be missed but remembered by many.