Cleave V. Hedman

Cleave Vern Hedman 83, of Cathlamet, died in Longview on January 29, 2016. He was born April 22, 1932 in Whitefish, Mt to Vern and Edena Hedman.

After graduating from Whitefish High School in 1951 he attended Eastern Washington University and graduated with a BA degree in 1955. He enlisted in the Army after college and served in Korea. After his return, Cleave married Audrey Sly on June 7, 1958.

He received a Masters degree from WSU in 1962 by attending summer school, while teaching music in several school districts before moving his family to Wahkiakum County in 1965. He taught music to all grades for many years.

In 1970 he established Totem Painting, painting houses for 18 years before retiring in 1998. He was a member of Congregational Church of Christ in Cathlamet where he was Choir director for 45 years. He was a past member of Wahkiakum Lions Club, played French horn in the Southwest Washington Symphony, and earlier was a 12 year member of the Spokane Philharmonic Orchestra and sang with the Longview Community Choir.

Cleave was a dedicated family man and treasured his family time, rock hounding, crawdadding, clamming, fishing, camping and blackberrying. He was a many faceted artist, carving wood and stone, pen and ink drawing, writing music and performing with his guitar, harmonica and piano. He enjoyed playing and having sing alongs at local care centers. He enjoyed humor and looked for it in everyday life.

He is survived by his wife Audrey, a daughter, Mary (Michael) McLaughlin, a son, Arthur (Kodi) Hedman, two sisters, three brothers, a sister-in-law, a granddaughter Blaire Rawlings and three grandsons, Kaden, Konrad and James Moeller, a former son-in-law Kenneth (Cheryl) Moeller, many nieces and nephews and his beloved mini doxie, Ginger. Cleave was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Koppy in 1984.

A Celebration of Cleave’s Life will be held at JA Wendt Elementary School on Saturday June 4 at 12 Noon with a luncheon to follow.

Military honors will be held at Greenwood Cemetery where Cleave will be placed, following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UCC Church memorial Fund PO Box 369 Cathlamet,WA 98612 or RIF program in Wahkiakum County at PO Box 1841 Longview,Wa 98632 or charity of choice. Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.