Obituary: Jonathan Dale Cleveland

Jonathan Dale Cleveland, the son of Henry and Elsie Beatrice Gilmore Parker, was born July 13, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jerry Cleveland adopted Jonathan giving him his last name as well as the name of the city in which he resided. Everett Brown was Jonathan's stepfather.

Known as "Cleve," Jonathan was baptized June 6, 1971, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Cleveland. He proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and became a confirmed member of the body of Christ at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in May 1980.

Jonathan married Rosalind Love June 15, 1991. They have three daughters, Myeshia, Rochelle, and Ebony.

Jonathan 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 2000-2008. He also attended classes at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.

Pastor Eric Borchers installed Jonathan as the director of Christian education at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Gardnerville, March 29, 2009. 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, Jonathan was inducted into the office of deacon by Pastor Russell Howen Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. This office gave him the authority to proclaim God's Word and administer the Sacrament of the Altar in the worship. With Trinity's Praise Team, Jonathan took charge of the Sierra Spirit Worship Service.

Jonathan was a member of the Board for Black Ministry Services of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Jonathan has served as Cub Scout leader, basketball coach, substitute teacher and music teacher. Besides being involved in community affairs, Jonathan 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. Jonathan is survived by his three daughters, Myeshia of Eugene, Ore.; Rochelle and Ebony of Minden; his ex-wife Rosalind of Portland; two brothers, Henry and Jerry; three sisters, Vicki, Stracy and Stacy; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Jonathan Dale Cleveland died Sunday, January 17, 2010, at the age of 46 years, 6 months, and 4 days. Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. FitzHenry's Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.