James B. Cleaver, 84, of Zelienople died Thursday morning at VA Butler Healthcare.

Born May 5, 1925, he was the son of the late Orvis and Geraldine Nalder Cleaver.

Mr. Cleaver was a member of the Zelienople-Harmony Methodist Church where he was a lay minister.

He had a bachelor's degree in journalism from Penn State.

He had worked for various newspapers, leaving the Butler County News Record in 1969 to start his own company, Cleaver Publishing.

A veteran of World War II, he served in Italy with the 45th Infantry Division. He was a member of the American Legion Post 474 in Zelienople and the DAV of Lawrence County 112.

Mr. Cleaver was a member of the Evans City Lions Club, having served on many district committees.

He was a former justice of the peace. He also served on the former Jackson Township School Board.

He is survived by four children, Mrs. John (Joan) Raley, Nancy Poupard, Thomas B. Cleaver of Las Vegas, and Paul C. Cleaver of Zelienople; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Zelda Sprague Cleaver; two brothers, and a grandson.

<B>CLEAVER</B> — Friends of James B. Cleaver, who died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the <B>A. Carl Kinsey-Ronald N. Volz Funeral Home</B>, 114 W. Spring St., Zelienople. Graveside services and burial will be Friday at Lakelawn Memorial, Reynoldsville, with the Rev. John Jefferis, his pastor, officiating.Memorial donations may be made to the Butler Blind Association, 322 N. McKean St., Butler PA 16001.Additional information may be obtained at www.kinsey-volzfuneralhome.com.