Don Clever

Don Juan Clever went to be with God on Friday, August 16, 2013. He was born February 11, 1933 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania to John Samuel and Pearl Armstrong Clever. He graduated from Shippensburg Area Joint High School in 1950. Over a 22-year period he attended several colleges and universities, including Ohio’s Kent State University, as a part-time student to obtain further education in the field of journalism. He married Patricia Ann Wadel on June 7, 1952.

Don had printer’s ink in his blood. He was sports editor for his school newspaper; went on as sports editor of the Shippensburg News-Chronicle. He branched out to become sports editor, chief photographer for the Indiana Lebanon Reporter and Chambersburg PA Public Opinion. Upon arriving in California he was managing editor for Daily Star-Progress, La Habra CA and retired in 1993 after serving as editorial director for North County News, Orange County, CA.

Among numerous civic service, he served in the capacity of president, zone chairman and other board positions in the Lebanon, Indiana Lions Club, District 25-C of Lions International, Lebanon Jaycees, Lebanon Boys Club, Brea CA. Rotary Club, the Brea Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Friends of the Orcutt, CA Library Board, Santa Maria’s NARFE. He was a member of BPOE #1538. Don served as president of Lebanon, Indiana July 4th Parade Committee. He was on a special Board formed in pursuit of establishing an Orcutt, CA Community Services District. He coached Babe Ruth Baseball in Lebanon and umpired several years in Lebanon, Indiana Little League; at Cal State Fullerton he taught Editorial Writing and served five years on Fullerton College Journalism Advisory Committee. He lectured on free enterprise at several north Orange County schools. In cooperation with Boone County Indiana agriculture agent, he produced a documentary film on the week-long County 4-H Fair in 1964. He was awarded numerous editorial writing and photography awards throughout his long journalism career. He was a six-time winner of R.C. Hoiles editorial-writing award. Don participated in baseball and basketball in younger years and was an avid golfer during middle-age years.

In true faith, he was active in Shippensburg Messiah United Methodist Church, Lebanon, Ind. Otterbein and Yorba Linda, CA United Methodist churches. He was a member and Chairman, Board of Trustees, at Santa Maria First United Methodist Church. He served and trained individuals on the sound system and enjoyed producing CDs of the service.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Patricia, and daughters LuAnne Marie Gonzalez (Daniel), Boise, ID, Sherri Lynn Earl-Pearson Santa Maria, CA and brother Robert Clever (Helen), Myrtle Beach, SC. He leaves grandsons Eric Earl (Myrna—Lake Elsinore, CA), Thomas (Jen), Christopher (Desiree), Jeffrey (Summer) Kevin Earl, and granddaughter Stacy Earl, all of Santa Maria, CA.; grandsons Daniel (Angela), Jonathan, Joshua Gonzalez in Boise, ID. He also leaves 10.5 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Santa Maria, CA on Sat., Aug. 31, 2013 at 10:00 am and graveside services will be held in the Spring Hill Cemetery, Shippensburg PA on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Francis H. Norton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to FUMC, 311 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, CA or Friends of the Orcutt Library, P. O. Box 2937, Orcutt, CA 93457.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.

Local arrangments are being handled by Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, Inc., Shippensburg, PA.