William (Bill) McKindred Klein, 86, of Marion, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 14 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Bill was born in Madison, Indiana but moved to Marion in his very early years and was raised on the Home Corner.  He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict.  He was very proud of his time in the Navy and loved to tell stories of his time aboard ship.  His love for boats never ended having owned several in his lifetime.  After completing his time with the Navy, returned to Marion and married the love of his life, Irma Jean Smith.  He then entered an apprenticeship program at RCA where he received his degree in Tool and Die Making.  After working for RCA for several years, he began working for General Motors as a Tool and Die Maker, first at Delco in Kokomo then eventually retiring from Fisher Body in Marion.  After his retirement, he was called upon to fill in for an instructor at Tucker Area Career Center teaching skilled trades.  Teaching became a passion for Bill and he finally retired from this second career in 2014 after 14 years of teaching at Ivy Tech at Kokomo.  He received numerous accolades for his teaching including “Adjunct Professor of the Year”. 

In his earlier years, Bill was a wonderful woodworker and made beautifully crafted furniture.  He also loved to hunt, fish, target and skeet shoot.  He was a founding member of the Deer Creek Conservation Club. 

There was not a child that didn’t take immediately to Bill.  He loved all children and couldn’t wait to welcome the newest ones to the family.  But his favorite child of all was his first and only great-grandchild, Adeline Mae.  She brought a smile to his face even in his most grave moments.  He adored his Addy Mae dearly and she loved her Papa Willie Mac. 

Bill leaves behind his daughter, Karen Cooper, Marion; his son, Jeffrey William Klein, Marion; his grandson, Jason William Cooper, and his wife, Jessica, Indianapolis; and his great granddaughter, Adeline Mae Cooper, Indianapolis.

He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, including Nancy (Pat) McKillip, Muncie; Becky Apple, Ginny Hamilton and Pat Hamilton, Vienna, Virginia; Robin Hopkins, Marion; Donna (Frank) Lay, Daleville; Greg Smith, Anderson; Laurie (Andy) Weller, Marion; Ron (Kim) Klein, Marion; Michael (Annette) Kugler, Senoia, Georgia; Kathy (Gary) Chapman, Madison; Jeanine (Robert) Little, Madison; Suzi (Andy) Ashbury, Madison; Terrie Klein, Grapevine, Texas; Andrea (Gina Vaughan) Klein, Grapevine, Texas; Cindy Klein, Jupiter, Florida; George Klein, Madison; sister-in-law, Margaret Klein, Marion; very special family friends Joyce Jackson and her family Larry Brown, Ramona Keaffauber and Rick Brown; Joni Harmon (Rick) Fenwick, Walled Lake, Michigan, who was like a daughter to Bill; and Bill’s “other family”, Jim, Tracy, Travis, Meagan and Ashley Isenbarger.  He cherished all of you more than you will ever know.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Irma Jean (Jeannie); his parents George and Mae Klein; his parents-in-law Rolfe and Marie Smith; brothers Judson, Fritz, Chris, and Pat Klein; his sister, Helen Kugler; sisters-in-law Carmel Smith Apple and Dorothy Smith Pfefferle and brothers-in-law Donald Smith and Robert Pfefferle

Visitation will take place Saturday, December 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at Hillside Wesleyan Church, 2510 Home Avenue, Marion.  Services will follow at noon with Pastor Gary Bingham officiating.  Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana is in charge of the arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hillside Wesleyan Church in Bill’s name.

Karen, Jeff, Jason, Jesse and Addy Mae would like to thank everyone for their love, prayers and support during this incredibly difficult time.    

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