Lori Ann Cleveland, 48, of Sister Lakes passed away at her home Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010.

Lori’s life began Dec. 5, 1961 in Dowagiac as the daughter of Dale and JoAnn “Irish” (Willesen) Bentz. Lori was united in marriage to Daniel P. Cleveland on Sept. 25, 1987 in Cassopolis.

She was employed by the Cassopolis Post Office as a rural letter carrier.  Lori was extremely active in the Michigan Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.  She served as the secretary of the executive committee of the Michigan Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, and as a member of the finance committee.  Lori served on the First Convention Minutes Review Committee of the Michigan Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, was the chairwoman of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Credentials Committee for 2007 and was an academy trainer for the Kalamazoo Rural Academy.  Lori was county president of the Association for six years and a Michigan delegate to the National Convention for more than 10 years.

In her spare time, she enjoyed Lake Michigan, rock hunting, boating, swimming, spending time in northern Michigan and participating in golf and bowling leagues.  Her greatest joy was her family, which includes her husband, Dan Cleveland, of Sister Lakes; daughters, Rebecca Cleveland of Ann Arbor and Kelsey Cleveland of Sister Lakes; her sisters, Nance (Rick) Myers of Dowagiac and Sandi Bentz of California; her brother, James Bentz of South Bend; and seven nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Her family will gather with friends Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 at Yazel & Clark Chapel from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Pastor Scott Stambaugh of the Sister Lakes Community Church will lead a memorial service Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Lori at www.yazel-clark.com.