Kent F. Van Cleve, 61, of Centralia, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.
Kent was born May 25, 1965, in Centralia, the son of Charles C. and Sandra (Cutshall) Van Cleve.
Kent graduated from Centralia High School in 1983 and continued his education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He later earned his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Kent dedicated 33 years of his life to educating students at Centralia High School, teaching from 1990 until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his career, he taught chemistry, physics, and physical science and was the head of the science department for many years. He was a devoted educator who took great pride in his students and the Centralia High School community. He would frequently share stories about his students and their educational and professional pursuits beyond CHS.
In addition to his teaching career, Kent had a tremendous passion for athletics and dedicated countless hours to coaching and mentoring young athletes. His coaching career began as an assistant football coach from 1990 to 1991. He served as assistant tennis coach from 1991 to 2004 and head volleyball coach from 1995 to 2002. He was assistant boys’ golf coach from 2003 to 2005 and head girls’ golf coach from 2004 to 2008. Kent also served as head bowling coach from 2007 to 2024 and head boys’ golf coach beginning in 2009. Through his many years of coaching, Kent positively influenced generations of student-athletes, teaching them the importance of dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Kent continued coaching the CHS golf team and was very proud of the team’s recent post season success. His whole life was about Centralia and the High School. He was involved with the Senior Golf Tournament in St. Louis, where he recently won.
Kent was also a dedicated advocate for his fellow educators and was actively involved in the Centralia High School Education Association and the Illinois Education Association. He served as President of the local education association from February 2002 to June 2002 and again from August 2013 to September 2022. Beginning in 1997, Kent was actively involved in contract negotiations, often serving in a leadership role, until his retirement in 2023. He also served as a delegate to the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly in 2017 and as a Region Council member from 2018 to 2023. His many years of service reflected his strong commitment to supporting teachers, advocating for quality education, and improving the educational community.
Kent was a loving uncle and took great pride in his niece and nephews. Outside of his professional career, Kent enjoyed golfing, bowling, volunteering, and spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his dedication to education, his love of coaching, and the lasting impact he made on the lives of countless students, athletes, colleagues, and friends throughout the Centralia community.
Kent is survived by his brother, Gib Van Cleve (Cherie) of St. Louis; his sister, Rosie Finley (Gary) of Indianapolis; his nieces and nephews, Britton Finley and wife Hillarie of Indianapolis, Ian Finley of California, Charles N. Van Cleve and wife Julie of Nashville, Tennessee, and Allison Van Cleve of St. Louis, Missouri; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles C. and Sandra Van Cleve, and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral Services for Kent Van Cleve will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 5 pm to 7 pm and Thursday at 10 am, before the service. In memory of Kent, memorial donations may be made to the Centralia High School Athletic Fund and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Van Cleve Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting http://www.
Kent leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to Centralia High School and the community he proudly called home. His influence will continue to be felt through the many lives he touched during his years as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend.
