James R. Cleveland

James R. Cleveland, age 77, passed away on Monday July 9th 2018. He was born to Mosely and Evelyn Cleveland (Farley) on March 18th 1941 in Collinsville Alabama.  Devoted husband of Marge Cleveland (Entwistle). Loving father of Tina Melendez (John) and Tim Cleveland and grandfather of Sami Melendez (Eric). He will be greatly missed by all of his nieces and nephews.

He joined the Lyons Police Department on October 21, 1967 where he served for 31 years. He spent time working on the Lyons Drug Abuse Council, Pension Board and Cycle Safety Program. In 1985 he became the Property, Evidence and Records Clerk for the Village. He became sergeant of the department on February 17, 1987 and he retired on January 13th 1999. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 44 and the Illinois Police Association.

In January of 2005, he decided to continue to serve his community as a crossing guard where he touched the lives of students at George Washington Middle School and Costello Elementary. In 2011, he had heart surgery, but he continued his journey as a civil servant until he formally retired his crossing guard vest on June 1st 2018.

He loved attending car shows with his wife and made many friends along the way. He volunteered at the Lyons Car Show and various other cruise nights. He went by the affectionate name of “Sergeant Crab,” but he was always willing to help anyone in need be it a child, neighbor, family or strangers. He will be missed by his family, friends and the millions of lives he influenced.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.