Joel Gideon VanCleave

Joel Gideon VanCleave, son of Christopher Scott and Kaitlyn Ann (Ehlers) VanCleave, was called to heaven on Feb. 10, 2026, at 20 weeks and four days gestation. From the early appointments, his dad called him a warrior (thanks to having tall parents). Little did he know how true that label would become. On Jan. 21, his mother experienced a premature rupture of membranes. After two days of labor, everything calmed and Joel was still fighting. He remained strong for twenty days, despite all the odds stacked against him. For reasons only the Lord knows, Joel was called home before he could grace the earth with his beautiful smile. Though he never took a breath on earth, Joel filled his family’s hearts with a lifetime of love.
Besides his parents, Joel leaves behind his great-grandmother, Carole Quinley, of Arnold; grandparents, Michael and Laurie VanCleave, of St. Louis, and Ernie and Kim Ehlers, of Mountain Grove; aunts, Jessica (Mike) Lombardo, of St. Louis; Elizabeth (Drew) Calvert, of Lee’s Summit; and Erin Ehlers (Aaron Warning), of Columbus, Ohio; and cousins, Cade and Colbie Calvert, Gavin and Emma Lombardo, and Margo Warning. Chris and Kaitlyn would like to thank Dr. Darren Lehnert and his staff, Dr. Sarah Hostetter and her staff, and the other doctors, nurses, and staff of Mercy Springfield Labor and Delivery for all of their love and care they provided throughout their time with them.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12
Online condolences may be made at www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.