Cleo Marie Stevens, 93, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.

Cleo’s life began on Nov. 29, 1916, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Curtis E. and Nora (Conrad) Showalter.

She was united in marriage to Leeland Curtiss, who precedes her in death, then married Lester R. Stevens, who also precedes her in death.

Cleo was a longtime member of the Dowagiac First United Methodist Church and the church’s Martha Esther Circle.

She belonged to the Dowagiac Junior Arts League, Dowagiac Elks Lodge Antlerettes and was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Dowagiac Garden Club and Beta Gamma Epsilon Sorority.

She was an avid bridge player and belonged to several bridge clubs.

Her greatest joy was her family, which includes: her children, Leland “Gene” (Jane) Curtiss of West Olive, Gary (Sandy) Curtiss of Mattawan and Carol (Roger) Brock of Otsego; 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Showalter of Winn.

Cleo is preceded in death by: a son, Frederick Stevens; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Stevens; a sister, Hope Brownridge and a brother, Russell Showalter.

Her family gathered with friends on Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., at Yazel and Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac.

Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church led by the Rev. John Kasper.

She will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the First United Methodist Church or to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan (Rose Arbor).

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