Carr Lyle Cleveland was born May 18, 1929 in the family home in Hamilton, Montana. He died of natural causes at the age of 94 in Helena, Montana.
He was born to Lyle and Lillian (Dyer) Cleveland. His beloved wife Carrie preceded him in death on January 9, 2013 after 62 years of joyous marriage. Carr and Carrie both graduated from Hamilton High School, and Carr attended the University of Montana. After their wedding on June 15, 1949 they moved to Denton, Montana to live on and farm the family homestead. They raised dryland crops, a few cattle, and Susan Marie, and Douglas Wayne along with a new house they built together. They grew in their marriage by relying on one another. To make farming possible, he and Carrie both worked in town. After farming Carr became a Right of Way appraiser for the Montana Highway Department and the family moved to Lewistown where Scott Carr was born. Carr and Carrie designed and built their own house at 110 Hillcrest Dr. When Carr passed the test to qualify to appraise Interstate Highway Right of Way, he was one of three who qualified from the state of Montana; therefore, the family moved to Butte. As Carr’s career progressed the family moved to Helena. Carr retired as the Chief Review Appraiser for the Montana Department of Transportation in 1989.
Carr raised FFA pigs and sold milk during his youth. He was a member of the state championship Hamilton High basketball team in 1947. He enjoyed playing basketball in a recreational league when he was in Denton against neighboring small towns. Carr was a Scout Master for a generation of young men and a school bus driver in Denton, Montana. He was a founding member of the Denton trap club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life. He had a lifelong interest in planting and growing gardens, groves of trees, and flower beds. Tomatoes were his specialty. In Helena Carr and Carrie were founding members of the local barbershop choruses. Carr was a fixture of the practices, shows, competitions, and after glows. He was also proud to be a contributor to the Methodist Church building projects in Denton, Lewistown, Butte and Helena. Carr and Carrie loved their families, old friends, and new acquaintances. They were always looking for good and always were able to find it; they always appreciated visiting with and getting to know people.
Carr was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carrie January 9, 2013, his son Douglas September 18, 2007, his parents Lyle and Lillian, his sister Lila, his brothers Ren, and Herb. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Lowell) Bartels, his son Scott (Jeanette) Cleveland, and daughter-in-law Mary (Mike) DaSilva; his grandsons Josh (Raena) Cleveland, Matt (Rebecca) Cleveland, Mark (Amy) Bartels, Adam (Karin) Bartels, Cody Cleveland, and Casey Cleveland; his great grandchildren Jaden, Joscelyn, and Jaycee Cleveland, Luke, Henry, Quinn, and Mahri Bartels, and Hadlee Cleveland. Carr is also survived by his two sisters-in-law Betty Cleveland of Hamilton and Ruth Cleveland of Stevensville as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to Farm in the Dell International. 6080 Gin Dale Rd. East Helena, MT 59635.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, May 20, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Helena, Montana with a reception immediately following.
Interment will take place at 3:30 P.M. May 20, 2024 at Riverview Cemetery, 99 Westbridge Rd. Hamilton, Montana.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 20, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Monday May 20, 2024
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Interment
3:30 p.m.
Monday May 20, 2024
Riverview Cemetery
99 Westbridge Road
Hamilton, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 20, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Monday May 20, 2024
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Interment
3:30 p.m.
Monday May 20, 2024
Riverview Cemetery
99 Westbridge Road
Hamilton, Montana
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Tom Naegele says
Carr was a mentor to me many times as he & Carrie were “Special” folks. He was a Real “Gentleman”. I was blessed to have known him in my life👍🥳. R.I.P. Carr and supportive Prayers to his Family & Friend’s. 🙏🙏❤️
Roy Moreno says
I first met Carr when I moved into Son Heaven Assisted Living he was a walking encyclopedia many stories of when he lived in Hamilton and than Denton he loved to doddle an drew many drawings Susan an Lowel and family my deepest condolences RIP my friend he will be missed by his here at Son Heaven
Jill Caldwell says
My family met Carr through Lowell and Susan and we always enjoyed a conversation with him. He was so interesting, kind and generous with his knowledge. God bless you all as you grieve and recall wonderful memories.
Jim Penner says
Carr was the bass in our barbershop quartet faithfully practicing once or twice a week for many years. He also was an avid woodworker and I think of him often as I use the cutting board that he gave me. Prayers of comfort for all of Carr’s family.
Kathy Strobel says
Carr was such a special person. He was just wonderful to talk to and be around. He will be missed by so many. Susan and Lowell and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nan Cervenka says
Sue & entire Cleveland family– My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Carr– & also Carrie –were such special people. My memories of them go back to their days in Lewistown. Carr was such a wonderful, kind man. May your memories of good times bring you joy & peace in your loss.
Kelly Fischer says
Carr was a ray of sunshine and could light up any room! Such a wonderful man and family! Prayers and love to all of them!
Jim G says
A singer, a craftsman, a story teller, a hunter, a fisherman, and most of all family man. A true man of character.
Bev Mitchell says
Carr and his beautiful wife, Carrie have been special to those who shared in their lives. As a wonder of a father to his children, he always had words to heal and to comfort. I know this because Susan has shared stories of growing up with her father’s and her mother’s unique, unselfish love.
Carr gave life to the gathering of friends and family-so kind and considerate in his conversations. He was comfortable conversing about the topics that were important to each person he spoke to.
He will be missed, just as Carrie has been missed. They gave much love to other people and hold solid in my thoughts.
Have a peaceful rest.
Roy Moreno says
Carr and I would talk about school bus driving asking my how long my route was and how much the busses improved heat wise to the addition of seat belts being added he was surprised when I told him our bus company was the first to put seat belts on there school busses in the nation he would ask me if I drove a bus with a stick shift than how he pinch his inner in the old manual door opener and I told him the doors were opened by just pushing a button on the dash and they were air operated he told me yes they have gotten better since he drove them miss talking with him until we meet again