Cleon Calvert Cornett

Cleon C. Cornett, 82, Cumberland, passed peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 6, 2022. 

A good ole Cumberland boy, Cleon graduated from Cumberland High School in 1956 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was an E-5 Sgt. holding the position of recon helicopter mechanic. Following his service in the military, Cleon returned to his Harlan Co. roots and gained more training at the Harlan Area Vocational School.

His schooling at CHS, Army training and vocational school prepared him for a distinguished career at General Electric in Evendale, OH, where he quickly rose through the career ladder beginning as a machinist and advancing to foreman, senior planner and was a Unit Manager upon his retirement. While at GE, Cleon was a leader having been cited for several awards in managerial and professional development areas.

When it came time to retire in 1993, Cleon returned to the family homeplace in Hiram where he loved gardening and frequently going on fishing trips. Retirement also brought many volunteer opportunities.

Cleon served as chairman of the FRYSC Advisory Board at Cumberland Elementary School, President of the Tri-Cities Heritage Development Corp., Chairman of Tri-City Senior Citizens Committee, Member of the VFW Post 5171, Vice-Chairman of the Harlan County Tourism Commission, Chairman of Eastern Kentucky Veterans Memorial & Walking Trail.  Also, he worked with the Southeast Community and Technical College Veterans Day activities.

Born February 19, 1939, in Skyline, KY, he was the son of Major and Ada Ison Cornett and believed in the Baptist Faith.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Huff Cornett, Cumberland; two sons, Michael (Pamela) Cornett, Cincinnati, OH; and Scott (Jess) Cornett Weber, Dallas, TX; four daughters, Vickie Watters, Cincinnati, OH; Sara Lynn (Tim) Gillespie, Milford, OH; Elizabeth Ann (Larry) Hamilton, Cumberland, KY; and Kimberly North (Rick) Krouse, Mason, OH.

One brother survives, Jack Fultz, Dayton, OH. He was predeceased by brothers Major Preston (Mary) Cornett and Herbert A. Cornett; and sisters Helen (Pete) Cornett and Dorothy (Dennis) Combs.

Eight surviving grandchildren are Joshua (Bailey) Cornett, Dustin (Wendi) Cornett, Wendy Nicole (Preston) Pierce, Nicholas Krouse, Jennifer (Marc) Hamilton and Amy (Chris) Bennett and Taylor (Garrett) Keating, Alex Grimes.

Twelve surviving great grandchildren are Destiny Cornett, Hunter Cornett, Colton Cornett, Olivia Pierce, Casandra Hamilton, Makayla Hamilton, Lilly Fredrick, Vinyard Bennett, Benny Bennett, Preston Keating, Conner Keating, Owen Hamilton and a long list of extended family also survive.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 11, 2022, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church in Cumberland. Funeral services will be conducted from the church at 1 p.m. Saturday with Rev. Roger Colinger officiating.

Following services at the church, the procession will proceed to the Veteran’s Memorial Park on U.S. 119, where Military Rites will be performed by the Harlan Honor Guard. The park was a very special project Cleon worked diligently for.

The procession will then proceed to Peaceful Acres Cemetery for final Committal Services.

Pallbearers will be Tim Gillespie, Larry Hamilton, Mike Cornett, Josh Cornett, Dustin Cornett, Nicholas Krouse, Preston Pierce and Don Farmer.

Cumberland Valley Funeral Home is honored to provide professional services to the Cornett Family.

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