Van Cleve, Charlys Marie

Charlys Marie Van Cleve, a longtime resident of Colorado Spring's west side, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, after bravely fighting lung cancer.

Charlys was born Feb. 18, 1939 and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the only child of Charles and Marie Van Cleve. She married and started her family shortly after graduating from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids and gave birth to two sons and a daughter, Jeff, Brenda - who was tragically lost to SIDS as an infant, and Todd. Charlys and her family moved to Denver in 1968 and then to Colorado Springs in 1972. After raising her family, Charlys returned to school and attained an Associate Degree from Pikes Peak Community College. After graduation, she worked for Fleet Card Services, until her retirement in 2005.

Charlys appreciated the simple things in life, was rarely seen without a glass of ice tea in hand and had a lifelong passion for bargain hunting. She enjoyed playing Yatzee and looked forward to making the occasional trip to the casinos in Cripple Creek. She had a special soft spot in her heart for the various dogs and cats she had as pets over the years.

She is survived by her sons, Jeff Pettibone (wife Lori Von Rueden) of Redwood City, Calif., and Todd Pettibone of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and her cats, Scampy and Sugar, who gave her much joy.

Her daughter, Brenda who died in 1959; her parents, Charles and Marie Van Cleve; and her uncle, Bob Coleman, predeceased Charlys.

Per her request, Charlys will be laid to rest at Memorial Gardens in Colorado Springs, near her mother and father after a private family remembrance of her life. Arrangements are being handled by Swan Law Funeral Home.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 18, 2012.