Larry R. Klett
May 23rd, 1940 - December 15th, 2022
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Larry's Obituary
Larry R. Klett, 82, of Stevensville, passed away, Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 19, 2022 at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Rd., Stevensville, with Rev. Elise Low-Edwardson officiating, and military rites conducted by the Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Larry’s name may be made to Stevensville United Methodist Church or Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. Those wishing to sign Larry’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Larry was born to Lawrence and Bernadine Klett on May 23, 1940 and was raised with his older sister, Joanne in St. Joseph, Mich. Larry loved baseball from the moment he could pick up a ball, even serving as a bat boy for the Auto Specialities Corp. in grade school prior to becoming a varsity athlete at St Joseph High School, graduating with the class of 1958. Following high school, Larry joined the Army, serving in Germany until 1961.
He was married to Dorothy “Dottie” Woods of Stevensville, in August 1963. They welcomed three daughters: Kellie, Nicole, and Ellen. Larry began his career in metal finishing while working at Benton Harbor Malleable before joining Leco Corp. and eventually opening his own business, Lakeshore Electro-Plate in 1981. After closing the plating company, he continued with his favorite aspect of business, working in sales with Marquette Sales until 2020.
A beloved community member, Larry was a member of Stevensville United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees on and off over 50 years. Additionally, he officiated high school football for 25 years as well as refereed basketball for nearly 20. He served on the Brownfield Authority Board for Berrien County for 14 years and especially loved working alongside his friends at Lakeshore Rotary Club for more than 40 years. While taking on many different roles with the Rotary Club including working his way to the President’s position, he was most lovingly known as the Pitbull.
Above all else, there was nothing Larry loved more than spending time with his family. Larry and Dottie loved taking their girls and grandkids on annual trips to Hilton Head Island. An avid supporter of everyone, he was hard pressed to miss a sporting event or choir concert and among his favorite activities were playing cards and telling stories that made everyone around him laugh. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Larry is preceded in death by his sister Joanne Bluschke and daughter, Ellen Kay Klett. He is survived by his wife, Dottie, daughters Kellie (Scott) Meyer of Stevensville and Nicole Paolini of St.Joseph, grandchildren, Andrew and Justin Kurdelmeyer of Niles, and Rebecca Meyer of California, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 19, 2022 at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Rd., Stevensville, with Rev. Elise Low-Edwardson officiating, and military rites conducted by the Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Larry’s name may be made to Stevensville United Methodist Church or Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. Those wishing to sign Larry’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Larry was born to Lawrence and Bernadine Klett on May 23, 1940 and was raised with his older sister, Joanne in St. Joseph, Mich. Larry loved baseball from the moment he could pick up a ball, even serving as a bat boy for the Auto Specialities Corp. in grade school prior to becoming a varsity athlete at St Joseph High School, graduating with the class of 1958. Following high school, Larry joined the Army, serving in Germany until 1961.
He was married to Dorothy “Dottie” Woods of Stevensville, in August 1963. They welcomed three daughters: Kellie, Nicole, and Ellen. Larry began his career in metal finishing while working at Benton Harbor Malleable before joining Leco Corp. and eventually opening his own business, Lakeshore Electro-Plate in 1981. After closing the plating company, he continued with his favorite aspect of business, working in sales with Marquette Sales until 2020.
A beloved community member, Larry was a member of Stevensville United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees on and off over 50 years. Additionally, he officiated high school football for 25 years as well as refereed basketball for nearly 20. He served on the Brownfield Authority Board for Berrien County for 14 years and especially loved working alongside his friends at Lakeshore Rotary Club for more than 40 years. While taking on many different roles with the Rotary Club including working his way to the President’s position, he was most lovingly known as the Pitbull.
Above all else, there was nothing Larry loved more than spending time with his family. Larry and Dottie loved taking their girls and grandkids on annual trips to Hilton Head Island. An avid supporter of everyone, he was hard pressed to miss a sporting event or choir concert and among his favorite activities were playing cards and telling stories that made everyone around him laugh. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Larry is preceded in death by his sister Joanne Bluschke and daughter, Ellen Kay Klett. He is survived by his wife, Dottie, daughters Kellie (Scott) Meyer of Stevensville and Nicole Paolini of St.Joseph, grandchildren, Andrew and Justin Kurdelmeyer of Niles, and Rebecca Meyer of California, as well as many nieces and nephews.
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