Richard Lowell Van Cleave, 90, of Franklin, IN passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Morning Pointe in Franklin, IN.

Richard was born on December 20, 1934 in Indianapolis, IN to the late James Lester Van Cleave and Mary Alice (Speas) Van Cleave.  Richard married Sue Ann (McDonald) Van Cleave on August 29, 1964 at First Baptist Church in Franklin, IN; she survives.  They were married for 61 wonderful years.

Richard graduated from Franklin High School in 1953. After high school, he attended Franklin College from 1953 until 1955 and was a member of Phi Delta Theta.  In 1955, he attended Purdue University, graduating in 1958 with honors as a Civil Engineer.  He was also a member of Tau Beta Phi.

Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserve and was stationed at Bakala Air Force Base in Columbus, IN from 1958 until 1964 performing duties on C119 aircraft as a loadmaster.  His last rank held was that of Staff Sargent.  He served with the 434th Troop Carrier.

Richard was a Licensed Civil Engineer and a licensed surveyor for the state of Indiana.  In 2014, he retired after 57 years of service with the longest record of service for the Indiana Department of Transportation as a civil engineer in road design.

Survivors include his wife Sue Ann (McDonald) Van Cleave of Franklin, IN, his three sons, Gregory Lee Van Cleave of Franklin, IN, David Lynn Van Cleave of Charlestown, IN, and James Lowell Van Cleave (Heather) of Sellersburg, IN, three grandchildren Kayla Marie (Van Cleave) Cruse (Kegan), Nicholas Charles Van Cleave, and Alice Eleanor Van Cleave, three great grandchildren Adalynn Marie, Malikai Riley, and Jeremiah Wayne Cruse.

His parents preceded him in death.

The Reverend Larry McAdams will conduct a service on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 1PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/richardvancleave.  Friends may call Monday, December 1, 2025 from 11AM until service time at the mortuary.

Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN with military honors being conducted by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Post 205 Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.