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At Park Place of St. John, residents Kathy and Herb Cleve have established a life centered on love, faith, and service. Their journey began with a blind date in 1965 while Herb was on military leave. Despite being matched with different individuals initially, their connection was strong. “When he came to pick me up for our first date, my mother said, ‘You’re going to marry that man.’ She was right,” Kathy recalled.
Herb's military service included time in Vietnam where he served in a medical combat unit focused on evacuating wounded soldiers. Reflecting on his safe return, Herb expressed gratitude: “By the grace of God,” he said, he made it home safely. Years later, visiting a traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall brought an unexpected reunion with a fellow soldier from his unit, providing him peace and closure.
Post-military life saw Herb spend four decades in the electrical industry while Kathy pursued education as her career path. Her impact as an educator is evident through former students who still recognize and express gratitude towards her. A notable moment occurred at Park Place of St. John when she met the mother of one of her earliest students and later reunited with the student himself during his visit.
The Cleves chose Park Place of St. John seeking reduced home maintenance and increased leisure time in a senior living community. After considering various options, they were drawn to this location for its Christian community ethos and welcoming environment offered by the staff. They shared: “Kim was a sweetheart... Nobody was pushy, and everyone made us feel at home.”
Since moving nearly three years ago, the Cleves have adopted an active lifestyle involving concerts, crafting activities, and church services participation. They humorously noted their decision against becoming "couch potatoes." When both caught the flu recently, staff adjusted their meals to aid recovery—further reinforcing their appreciation for the supportive environment.
