Steve Van Cleave

Visitation for Steve Van Cleave, 64, of Martins Mill, will be held 12:15 pm Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Holly Springs United Methodist Church in Martins Mill with a funeral beginning at 1:00 pm. Graveside service will follow at Holly Springs Cemetery, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home.

Charles Steven Van Cleave was born on March 10, 1960 in Dallas, Texas to Charles Edward Van Cleave and Betty Jean Van Cleave. He has two older sisters, Charlotte Pisors and Sharon Fain. He also has six nephews and three great-nephews.

Steven grew up in Dallas through the 9th grade. He then moved to Martins Mill and attended and graduated from Van High School. He grew up attending Baylor Football games. He loved the Baylor Bears. He attended college at Baylor University and graduated in 1983. After several years working in Dallas, he started his lifelong career of teaching and coaching at Athens ISD. He had a special touch when handling DAEP students. He was an adored teacher. Steven loved his nephews. No matter how far away, he attended their many sporting events, band concerts, and birthday parties. He loved people. He helped care for his grandparents. Steve was also a caregiver for his nephew, Bryan. They attended endless Canton Eagle and Texas Ranger games. He also was a caregiver to a dear friend, Pat, who was a caregiver to his parents, Betty and Charles. In 2019, he retired from teaching to help his sister, Charlotte, give 24/7 care to their parents. When Covid-19 hit, they were blessed to still care for their parents at home.

Steve's favorite TV shows were the Honeymooners, Mash 4077, and of course, Columbo! He would quote the lines as you watched to any episode of these three shows. He played many a Wordle game against his sister, Charlotte, during chemo. He won 95% of the time. He has very special friends in his workout group. Most of all, Steven loved the Lord. He attended Holly Springs Methodist Church where he fit right in.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Pop and Nannie; his parents, Charles and Betty Van Cleave; aunt, Anita Glass; brother-in-law, Gary Fain; and niece-in-law, Adrian Fain.

Those left to cherish his memories are two sisters: Charlotte Pisors and husband, Dan, and Sharon Fain; six nephews: Michael John Keeney, Calvin Keeney and wife, Elise, Drew Keeney, Benjamin Fain and wife, Jenny, Bryan Fain, and Baylor Fain and wife Kelli; three great-nephews: Audie Fain, Asher Fain and Alexander Wells.

Pallbearers are Michael John Keeney, Calvin Keeney, Drew Keeney, Benjamin Fain, Bryan Fain, Baylor Fain and Dan Pisors.