Theodore Kleiman

Theodore “Ted” Edward Kleiman, age 84, of 1609 Stephenson Avenue in Escanaba passed away Saturday afternoon, January 1, 2011 at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba.
Ted was born May 9, 1926 in Wilson, Michigan, the son of Ted and Rose (Ruttner) Kleiman. He worked on the family farm until he left high school in his junior year to enlist in the United States Navy where he served on the U.S.S. LSM 106. He landed in Japan shortly after the dropping of the atomic bombs. Upon his discharge in June of 1946 his rank was Coxswain USNR. Ted received the American Area Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon. He also became a lifetime member of the V.F.W.

Following his service in the military Ted returned to work on the family farm until he began working at the Bark River Culvert and Equipment Company where he was a heavy equipment mechanic for 43 years until his retirement in 1988. Ted liked to work in the yard, do minor carpentry, bicycle riding, dancing, play solitare and work jigsaw and search-a-word puzzles. He was also a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

In May of 1948 he married Kathleen Woolcock of Escanaba who preceded him in death on June 23, 1973. Together they parented four daughters, Susan, Jeriann, Barbara and Laurie and one son, Mark. In October of 1975 he married Evelyn Lake of Kipling.

Ted is survived by his wife, Evelyn Kleiman of Escanaba, son Mark (Beth) Kleiman of Gladstone, daughters Susan (Steve) Curry of Meredian, Mississippi, Jeriann (Ed) Fredrickson of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Laurie Kleiman of Escanaba; his brother Frank (Mary) Kleiman of Waukesha, Wisconsin; uncle Harold “Babe” Kleiman of Gladstone; sister-in-laws Dolly Kleiman, Mary Wellman and Winnie Lake; grandchildren Patti (Ken) Prince, Charles Curry, Jennifer (Jeff) Tessmer, Michael (Stephanie) Kleiman, Heather Kleiman and Genevieve Corbett; great grandchildren Blaine, Brandon and Kamren Prince, Ava Corbett and Jacob and Allison Tessmer; numerous nices and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, his parents, his daughter Barbara, his brothers Joe, Lloyd and James, his sisters Florence (Alex) Jorasz and Barbara Nelson, and sister-in-law Delores Kleiman.

The Kleiman family will recieve friends on Wednesday, January 5 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba. Parish Prayers will follow at 4:30 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Fr. Rick Courier officiating. A luncheon will be served following services at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Ted will be laid to rest in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Ted’s name may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or to the local American Cancer Society. The Kleiman family is being served by the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.