William Van Cleve

William Frank Van Cleve, 68, of Windsor Heights, Iowa, died Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. He was born March 15, 1954 in Mankato, Minnesota, to M.L. "Van" Van Cleve and Bessie Brooks Van Cleve.
At the age of three, Bill began to exhibit a rare brain condition eventually diagnosed as Heller's Syndrome, which caused him to regress mentally to the age of one and a half, where he remained for the rest of his life. Although he was unable to speak, or to understand words or language, he enjoyed watching television, going on hikes, and snacking on M&M's. Bill lived at the Woodward State Hospital and School in Woodward, Iowa, until he was about 30. He then lived in a Mainstream Living group home in Ankeny, Iowa until 2020 when he moved to another Mainstream Living home in Windsor Heights. His brain is being donated to research.
He is survived by three brothers, Jim Van Cleve (Claudia Strauss) of Claremont, California, Tom Van Cleve (Estella) of Tucson, Arizona, and Jerry Van Cleve (Monica) of Eagar, Arizona, and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial gathering will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on October 8, 2022 at Iles Westover Chapel, with interment to follow at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, where Bill enjoyed feeding the swans as a child.
Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.
Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of William Van Cleve, please visit our Tribute Store.