Obituary of Cleatius James Gouldman

Cleatius James Gouldman, 86, of Niles, passed away at noon on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. Cleatius was born on January 31, 1925 to the late Fred and Manilla House (a Cherokee Princess) Gouldman in Kansas City, Missouri. After only a fourth grade education and cotton picking, mule farming, fishing, hunting and building dams to create the Lake of the Ozarks of Missouri Cleatius joined the United States Navy to fight in World War II he was the tail gunner against the suicide pilots of Japan where he saved the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier that is now a museum in New York City. After coming home from the Navy Cleatius began working all over the place. He met Margie Smith (a Tennessee princess) they were married on May 24, 1947. He then began working for National Standard in Niles. He retired from there after working over 36 dedicated years. Together they had a son, Cleatius DeWayne Gouldman who was born on 1948 in Niles, Michigan. Cleatius, Sr. is preceded in death by his parents, wife Margie, sisters Margie and Norma Jean and brother Johnny Gouldman. Cleatius is survived by his son Cleatius D. Gouldman, grandson Cleatius Jesse Gouldman of Niles Township, Michigan, great granddaughter Autumn Gouldman of Marquette, Michigan, brother Ray B. Gouldman of Niles Township, Michigan and sister Fay Ruth Gouldman of Niles, Michigan. Funeral services to honor Cleatius will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel at 12:00 noon. Memorial donations may be made in Cleatius' memory to the Boy Scouts of America in honor of the Eagle Scout he created in his son.