JOHN WILLIAM “JOHNNIE” KLEEFISCH
John William “Johnnie” Kleefisch, age 74, of 327 Morning Drive, Plymouth, Wis., passed away unexpectedly early Friday, July 2, 2010, at the Wisconsin Heart Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wis.
John was born Sept. 3, 1935 in Cascade, Wis., the son of the late Henry and Evelyn Beringer Kleefisch. He attended St. John the Baptist Grade School in Plymouth where he served as an altar boy for many years and graduated from Plymouth High School with the Class of 1954.
John then joined the United States Air Force in which he served from 1954-58 serving in the Cold War.
On Sept. 16, 1961, he married Idonna Schuler at St. George Catholic Church in Elkhart Lake. The couple have resided in Plymouth their entire married life.
John worked for A & P Cheese Co. and then at GTE for 23 years as a COE supervisor retiring in 1988.
He is a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth and was a former Plymouth Lions member for many years.
John and Idonna enjoyed many years of “RV traveling” across much of the United States. He was the happiest when he could be “On the Road Again.”
John picked up from his father and grandfather “the knack” of being able to fix anything. He enjoyed woodworking and “puttering” in his shop and was always ready to “hit the casinos.”
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Idonna of Plymouth; his daughter, Tina (Jim) Cook of Oconomowoc, Wis.; “the loves” of his life – granddaughter, Ashley and grandson, Drew, both of Oconomowoc; two sisters, Donna Becher and Diane Kleefisch, both of Plymouth; one brother, James (Mary) Kleefisch of Waukesha; one brother-in-law, Gene Schuler of Plymouth; and also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, other relatives and many friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Joanne; and brother-in-law, William H. Becker.
John’s sense of humor will be sadly missed by his entire family. He could put a smile on just about anyone’s face with his quick wit and genuine enjoyment of making people laugh.
Funeral Mass was held Tuesday evening, July 6, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth preceded by family rites at the Suchon Funeral Home. The Very Rev. Dennis Van Beek, pastor of the church, officiated. Private family entombment was held at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Sheboygan on Wednesday, July 7.
A memorial fund is being established in John’s name.
The Plymouth VFW World Cheese Center Post #5612 conducted military rites at the church following the services Tuesday evening.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
