Joseph Kleene (Veteran)

Joseph Fredric Kleene, 84 of Jefferson City, died Monday, April 18, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center. He was born on March 19, 1927, in Jefferson City, the son of Joseph Herman and Louise Elizabeth Knelang Kleene. Joseph was a 1945 graduate of St. Peter High School. He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Navy. He was united in marriage on August 27, 1960, in Jefferson City, to Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Grothaus Smith, who survives at the home. Joseph was self employed for 20 years driving the route for Tom's Snacks. In later years, he worked for Ryder Student Transportation, retiring March 18, 1998. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, where he served for many years as an usher. Other survivors include a son, Joseph Francis Kleene, Jefferson City; a step-son, William Dennis Smith, Cocoa, Fla.; a step-daughter, Victoria Lynn Smith, Columbia; three grandchildren, Nathan Smith, Cory McCarter, and Stella McCarter; and two sisters, Jean (Ed) Wankum, Jefferson City and Mary Lou Bruemmer, Rolla. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Micah McCarter. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Dulle Trimble Funeral Home, with the Rev. Francis Doyle officiating. Burial will be in Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2011, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. An additional visitation will be Thursday, 10-11 a.m. at Dulle Trimble Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church Debt Reduction Fund. Those wishing to email condolences to the family may do so at dulletrimble.com.