Alden Burke Cleaver Sr., June 22, 2011

8:48 a.m., June 28, 2011--Alden Burke Cleaver Sr., 82, of Wilmington, died on June 22. 

He was a caretaker/gardener in Facilities on the Wilmington Campus, working with the Goodstay and Wilcastle centers and Arsht Hall. He retired in 1993 after more than 40 years of service at UD. 

Born July 23, 1928, to the late Olan J. Cleaver and Leila (Leasure) Cleaver, he was graduated from Newark High School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army as an instructor during the Korean War. 

Mr. Cleaver was a member of the Del Penn Garden Association, Delmarva Poultry Club, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Dahlia Society of Philadelphia. He was also a leader in the 4-H Club. He was a poultry breeder who showed in various state and county fairs. He enjoyed family, gardening, farming and the love of life. 

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Caroline R. Cleaver of Wilmington; sons, Alden B. Cleaver Jr. and his wife, Judith, of Wilmington, and Andrew B. Cleaver of Wilmington; sister, Audrey Laws of Newark; brother, Olan J. "Jackie" Cleaver Jr. of New Castle; sister-in-law, Eleanor Webb of West Grove, Pa.; stepgrandchildren, Elizabeth and Nathan Hall; and great-granddaughter, Ava. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ben Cleaver and George Cleaver. 

A visitation will be held for family and friends from 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, June 28, at R.T. Foard and Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main St., Newark. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church and Cemetery, Kennett Square, Pa., privately. 

The family has expressed its thanks to the staff members on the fifth floor of Christiana Hospital for all their support.

To send condolences, visit the R.T. Foard and Jones Inc. website.