Obituary for John Anthony Kleem John A. Kleem, 90, of Berea, passed away May 28, 2018, due to heart complications. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA of Lebanese immigrants, Anthony and Elizabeth Kleem; brother of the late Rev. Ferris Kleem and the late Norma Straub.
Loving husband of 59 years to the late Farrel Kleem; devoted father of Ferris (Theresa), Helena (Andrew), Elizabeth, John (Cynthia), Norma (William), Anthony (Mary), Christopher and Cyril (Melissa); loving grandfather of eleven, cherished great-grandfather of two; and an uncle and cousin to many. As a young man, John was an avid horseback rider and hunter. By the age of 14 he was driving a taxi in New York City, and prior to his 18th birthday he volunteered for the U.S. Army during World War II.
John served in the 25th Infantry Division “Tropic Lightning” as a drill sergeant and quartermaster during the occupation of Japan while stationed at Kobe Base and Nagasaki. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Soldier of the Month, and was a skilled sharpshooter and Golden Gloves boxer. After traveling the world, John earned a degree in economics from Kings College in PA, and worked at Republic Steel in Cleveland, OH before becoming a Cleveland Public School teacher for 27 years.
He displayed great concern for his most impoverished students and those with troubled family life. John and his wife accepted many of his students into their home and extended to them a place to stay and the love of a family. He was a skilled mechanic, an amateur inventor, member of the Knights of Columbus, served as a Catholic Eucharistic Minister, and along with his wife was given the Spirit of Community Award by the City of Berea in 2008.
As many mourn his passing, they also celebrate the life of a man with a remarkable gift for storytelling. He will be remembered as a humble, yet an outgoing person of great faith. John had a rugged spirit and great love for his country, even requesting reinstatement into the U.S. Army at age 73 after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Visitation will take place Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 4PM – 9PM at the Westwood Abbey Mausoleum Chapel, 6265 Columbia Rd. , North Olmsted, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday at 10AM at St. Mary Church, 250 Kraft St., Berea, OH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Solanus Casey Center, Attn: Fr. David Preuss, 1780 Mount Elliott St. Detroit, MI 48207, or online: www. solanuscenter.org/ways-to-help/donations.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Anthony Kleem please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 MAY 31. 04:00 PM – 09:00 PM Westwood Abbey Mausoleum Chapel 6265 Columbia Road North Olmsted, OH, US, 44070 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before John’s Visitation begins.
Mass of Christian Burial 2018 JUN 1. 10:00 AM St. Mary’s Catholic Church 250 Kraft St. Berea, OH, US Order Flowers for the Mass of Christian Burial Guaranteed delivery before John’s Mass of Christian Burial begins. Cemetery Details Sunset Memorial Park 6265 Columbia Road North Olmsted, OH, 44070 www.
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