<::taps::> John N. "Big John" Kleber, WWII veteran, Scarlet Knights D&B Corps (volunteer) (IL)
Catherine
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, North Chicago. John was born May 11,
1919, in Grayslake, Ill., and from age three months to 21, he was in
Angel Guardian Orphanage with all five of his sisters, where he
learned the printing trade.
He was an Army World War II veteran, serving in the Pacific Theatre.
John retired from National Press as a linotype operator and was active
in the North Shore and Sixth District Craftsmans Club, where for the
past 54 years attended a "Printer's Retreat" at the Trees for Tomorrow
Educational Camp in Eagle River, Wis.
John was very active in the Waukegan Typographical Union, chairman of
the Warren Township Democratic Party, very active in Drum & Bugle
Corps, creating the Scarlet Knights Booster Club.
His pride was to offer vocational training to the Lake County High
School Students normally not able to attend college and was appointed
to the advisory board in the creation of the Lake County Area
Vocational School, member of the Disabled American Veterans, Charter
Member of the Knights of Columbus Council #11112 in Gurnee and the 4th
Degree Bishop Sheil Assembly #2330.
Survivors include his sons, Norman (Debbie) of Wildwood, James (Patty)
of Jonesboro, Ga., Ronald (Lisa) of Grayslake, John P. (Kim) of
Goodlettsville, Tenn.; daughters, Kathleen (Bill) Fuqua of Park City
and Marguerite (Bruce) Funk of Wooster, Ohio; 19 grandchildren; 16
great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in
death by his wife, Elaine, on July 31, 1991.
Friends of John N. "Big John" Kleber, 90, are asked to meet for
visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 11 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 3, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 6401 Gages Lake
Road, Gurnee. Interment is private. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Symonds - Lakes Funeral Home, 111 W.
Belvidere Road, Grayslake.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Trees for Tomorrow Educational
Camp in Eagle River, WI, or the Disabled American Veterans,
appreciated.
Dave Adams
I not only knew this man and three of his children, he was the person
who suggested to my parents that I join the local drum corps when I
was all of ten years old. For many years they drove me to and from
practice.
RIP John.
Dave Adams
Scarlet Knights '68-'77
Phantom Regiment '78