John Kleckner

John "Jack" Kass Kleckner, age 91, passed away on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, surrounded by his loving family at Atrium Post Acute Care in Lancaster. He was born to Alfred and Mary (Kass) Kleckner on March 14, 1925, in Neillsville, WI. John graduated from Neillsville High School and then served in the U.S. Army during WWII (1943-1945) in North Africa and Italy. He was united in marriage to Doris Ruth Zerbel on January 7, 1948, in Neillsville.

John worked in the family feed business for 12 years in Neillsvile. In 1958 he became employed with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, in Stevens Point. He retired from ASCS in Lancaster in 1986. In his younger days, he was active in the Masonic Lodge and served as a Master, High Priest, and Commander. He enjoyed singing and sang in church choirs in both Neillsville and Stevens Point, where he also held various church offices. John was a current member of the Lancaster United Methodist Church.

Some of John's favorite activities included bridge and golf. He enjoyed playing party bridge, duplicate, and marathon bridge. After retirement many of his summer days were spent on the golf course in Lancaster. John and his wife, Doris, also golfed, sang, and played bridge for 18 winters in Mesa, AZ. John enjoyed Doris's home cooking and the fresh vegetables they grew in a small garden plot in their backyard.

John is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Doris; two beloved daughters, Jayne (Richard Helmke) Kleckner of Plover and Sandra (Denny) Drew of Portage; three grandsons, Calvin (Rachel) Milbach of Anacortes, WA, Kevin (Erin) Milbach of Madison, Ryan (Ashley Goldsworthy) Drew of Oxford; one granddaughter, Andrea Drew of Spooner; one great-grandson, Kade Drew; son-in-law, Ken Grzesiak, of Stevens Point; and one sister, Joyce Duckert of Janesville.

John was preceded in death by his parents; beloved daughter, Wendy Kleckner; and a brother-in-law, Robert Duckert.

Funeral services with military honors was held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 216 S. Monroe St. in Lancaster with Pastor Barbara Cook officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Family and friends called on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation or the United Methodist Church of Lancaster. Martin Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lancaster is assisting the family.