Clifford C. Van Fleet

Clifford Charles Van Fleet passed away peacefully at 6:11 PM at his son’s home in Leaf River, Illinois, surrounded by loved ones. His son was holding his face, his daughter-in-law held one hand, and his grandson held the other, as he took his final breath. He is survived by his son, Craig, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Van Fleet. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Clarissa Carmona and her husband Wilson Velasquez of Danbury, CT, Kyle Van Fleet of Leaf River, IL, and Kayleigh Van Fleet of Rockton, IL, and one great-grandchild, Noah Velasquez of Danbury, CT. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charleen Van Fleet, and his sister, Donna Lucille Bau.

Cliff was born April 19, 1942, namesake of his grandfather, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Donald Eugene Van Fleet and Lucille Green. As a toddler, his family moved to Mount Vernon, New York. Clifford would spend the next 65 years in Westchester County, New York. He graduated from A.B. Davis High School in Mount Vernon and went on to get his college degree at Westchester Community College. He married Charleen Mary Brandt on January 5, 1964, and their only child, Craig, was born a few years after. Clifford worked at IBM as a Field Engineer/Machine Specialist for 31 years, retiring in 1993 at the age of 51. He raised his family in Eastchester, New York. He and Charleen moved to Illinois in 2010 to be closer to their son and grandchildren. He resided in Loves Park, IL, from 2010 - 2024, then moved in with his son in Ogle County in 2024, when mobility became an issue.

Cliff was a caring, devoted man who was very honest. He adored his parents and was a wonderful and caring son. His moral and ethical character was unrivaled. He cared for everyone in his family and his wife’s family, even for those who may not have appreciated it fully. He taught his family love, morality, ethics, and compassion. He taught this lesson to most people who knew him well. He spent time caring for and was focused on those he loved. We are deeply saddened by his loss, but are so happy that we have the memories he gave us, and the knowledge that his passing could not have been scripted better. He enjoyed people and would talk to anyone, instantly making a friend. He also enjoyed country music, line dancing, the water, boating, his cats, his computers, and most of all, his family. He was very handy; he would try to fix anything before he spent any money. He loved working on cars, house projects at all levels, and even rebuilt a gutted condo with his son back in his earlier days. He gathered an impressive array of tools that many people could not even identify. But if you ever needed something, he had it. He was the man who would always stop and help a stranger. He would always help a neighbor with anything, regardless of the effort. While frugal, he would always give money to those in need, just never himself. I could type pages here discussing my father, but I will leave it to his niece, who wrote this shortly after hearing of his passing:

“Uncle Cliff was the kindest, most patient, caring, and funny man. He was always there for not only his son, but his nieces as well. He taught me how to ride a bike, roller skate, play badminton, and catch a baseball. He laughed at his own jokes and snuck me candy at breakfast. He helped me with school, listened to my high school gossip, tried to understand the music I liked, and sang in the car. I lived with my aunt, Uncle and cousin through Junior High, high school, and college until I moved to Florida. They were not just my aunt and Uncle; they were my second set of parents. My Uncle taught me empathy and kindness and how to find joy in the little things. I feel very lost without him and could never truly explain how different my life would have been without him in it. I know he knew how much I loved him, but I will say it here for the last time. I love you so much, Uncle Cliff. Thank you for everything, my dancing bear."

Dad, you taught me these things as well. Every hour, I remember one more thing you taught me. I will likely do this for the remainder of my days. I love you; I miss you and thank you so much for being you and all you brought to all of us. I am so very proud of your selflessness. I hope you are proud of me.

Cliff will be cremated and his ashes shared with family. There are no services planned, that was not his wish. However, we will plan a celebration of life and a gathering soon. Love to everyone, hug one another. Time here is too short. Godspeed Dad.

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