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Donald Klein Obituary
He was a real estate developer and investor, a member of AOPA and the Aviation Breakfast Bunch. He was a softball pitcher at Frazier Field and an ice hockey referee. Don's passions were planes, cars, motorcycles, playing the piano, and most of all people.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald E. Klein, Sr.
He is survived by his long term love and fiancé, Michelle Moore; mother, Alice Klein; sisters, Fran Klein, Kathy Klein and Betsy Cobb (Chris); and nieces and nephews, Dylan (Tashi), Nani, Sarah, Griffin, Ian and Amber.
His memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2012 at Highlands Family-Owned Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. with burial at Cave Hill Cemetery at noon Saturday. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service Friday at Highlands.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Klein
Kyle Gray
April 11, 2021
Bro, you were one hell of a man/friend. You were quick to help me out when I was at a time in my life I truly needed it, and I´ll never forget you because of that. Thank you for all that you did for not just me, but countless others. I had a dream involving you not long after your death, and in that dream you were assuring me you were in a safe place. It was definitely a strange dream, as we talked about things you and I would never have talked about if you were standing in front of me. I´m glad you let me know you´re good bro. Still have that Doobie Brothers channel on my Pandora thanks to you
Donna Hatch (Lane)
May 17, 2013
I was looking through some old pictures and ran across some of you and Keith from December of 1976 when I met you on the way to Colorado to go skiing. When I googled to see if I could find you I was shocked and saddened to read the news. God bless you, Don. You were one of a kind. I pray that as the pain Michelle and your family has fades their memories will help them heal. God Bless them for such a tragic loss.
May 16, 2013
Paris, France July 2011
Betsy Klein Cobb
May 16, 2013
Betsy Klein Cobb
May 16, 2013
Michelle @ crash site
Betsy Cobb
May 16, 2013
Michelle @ crash site
Betsy Klein Cobb
May 16, 2013
Cave Hill Cemetery
Betsy Klein Cobb
May 16, 2013
Michelle & me at crash site
Betsy Klein Cobb
May 16, 2013
Michelle at crash site
Betsy Klein Cobb
May 16, 2013
Buddha - Don's yard
Betsy Cobb
May 15, 2013
/ichelle & me (Betsy) Barefoot Beach, FL - June 2012
May 15, 2013
Jill Bush
April 21, 2013
Though I hadn't been in contact for years, I always cared. You were always a bright spot in the darkness. I know you are now a shining part of Gods love
April 9, 2013
You will never be forgotten.
Beth
January 23, 2013
Memories of you at the Belvedere had been in my mind for months and I wondered where life had taken you. I googled and found that you have gone on another journey. May the Lord keep your family strong for without you I know they are lost.
Kyle Gray
August 15, 2012
Miss you bro. I still have that doobie brothers channel set on my Pandora for you. I just found out today that the building is going up for sale...bummer. Love always, Kyle Gray
Keith & Kim Moore
May 16, 2012
We love and miss you BUT we are taking care of the love of your life Michelle
Kathy Pile
May 14, 2012
My thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with Mr Klein's family. I can see by the messages left that he was an incredible person and loved by many. May those wonderful memories get you through in such a tragic time. Kathy Pile, Harned Fire & Rescue Department
Allie and Tim Henderson
May 1, 2012
You will be missed Donnie.
Michael Siefring
April 26, 2012
I will remember Don Klein as a honest and caring person. He did a renovation for a local Buddhist Temple and he was professional. You could tell he truly cared about his work. I consider myself lucky to have met him, if only a few times.
Michael Siefring.
Beth Kleier-Hopper
April 26, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during such a tough time. I went to Seneca with Don and he was truly a blessing to know while there. His smile and laughter will always be remembered.
Kath
April 26, 2012
Don, Time is running out and I haven't figured out what to say. I feel like there will be a way we can keep in touch, a way to talk, communicate. I never imagined a life without you in it, none of us did. What do we do now to keep the Klein Gang together? Just know this: We are all changed forever. I will miss you greatly and, right now, can't push forward without you. Love, Kath
Michael Hembling
April 23, 2012
My heart goes out to Michelle and all who loved DK. Don Klein was not only a dear friend, but my personal hero. I am better for having him in my life and look forward to the day when I can once again think about our many adventures and laugh. Not today....
Alisha Johnson
April 21, 2012
I am so sorry to all of the friends, family, and everyone else who knew Don. He was a wonderful person, and I was blessed to know him for just a few short months. He was the best landlord ever. You are missed Don. <3
John Prestigiacomo
April 21, 2012
I will miss Don very much. Michelle my thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family.
John Prestigiacomo
Keith Van Bakel
April 21, 2012
In Loving Memory of a Wonderful Man, my friend, my mentor, my brother. I'm deeply saddened of Don's passing, my thoughts and prayers are with Michelle, and the Klein Family.
Cherished Memories that will last forever, your zest for life was always apparent and will never be forgotten. I am missing you my brother, and know you are at Heavens Window now in Don's arms watching over us, and know you will always be with all of us here in Spirit!
Gail Kleier
April 21, 2012
Dear Michelle: I am truly sorry for your loss of the love of your life. Don was an exuberant, confident, loyal, talented, intelligent person and he will be missed. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet you at the 35th Seneca HS reunion. You are such a lovely person. Don was lucky to have had you in his life. You are in my thoughts--Gail Kleier
Sharon Kaelin
April 21, 2012
I was very sorry to learn of this tragic news. Don was a classmate from Seneca and I will forever remember his smile and good nature. My heart goes out to all his family & friends but I hope the memories will help them through such a difficult time.
Sharon Winstead-Kaelin
Darlene Losik
April 20, 2012
I was shocked to hear that it was Donnie that was in that tragic plane crash in the county from which I'm from. Michelle I am so sorry that you have to bear the pain of losing your true love and it being so unexpectedly. Cherish all the memories that the two of you made together and for the time that you had with him. My heart breaks for you while your heart aches and yearns for Donnie. Donnie was an unique person kind of guy. He was kind, thoughtful, caring and polite. I appreciated all that he done for Ron & I and for his help after Ron passed. I wish I could have known him longer. You and the Klein Family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days, weeks, and months to follow. May God comfort each of you.
Greg Elder
April 20, 2012
Michelle, I so sorry to hear of your loss, You are in my thoughts
Lisa Klosterman
April 19, 2012
Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear of Don's passing! Aunt May called mom and mom called me!! You are in my thoughts and prayers along with the Klein family!! Much love Michelle!!!
Your friend Lisa "Ellis" Klosterman
April 19, 2012
Michelle, so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you with His strength and love. Danny(Congo) & Vanessa Goble
Joann Counsil
April 19, 2012
I had the pleasure of meeting Don on a softball field. He was a great man and friend. We have shared a lot of laughs and good times on the softball field and I feel that it was an honor to have known him. The one thing that the world will miss is he caring way and his smile. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Michelle and the Klein family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kevin, Carol and "The Lads"
Mary Sweeney
April 19, 2012
Mary Tim & Steve Hubbs
April 19, 2012
Michelle, We only know you & Don throught Randy & Jennifer, but we are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will remember the time we spent with him at parties and working with him to get the Williams house sold!
mark pilkington
April 19, 2012
alot of people knew don was one of the greatest friends anyone could have!if half the people in the world was like him life would be great,but there was just one, and will be greatly missed by me and my family! have fun pitching for gods team u were one of the best!!
Dana Pettit
April 19, 2012
Fran, Dylan, Kathy and family- I recognized the name immediately when I saw the report on the news. I was sad to read it was true. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
April 18, 2012
Miss you so much..did not realize I would miss you as much as I do...It won't be the same around here w/o u. xoxo
Kent Oyler
April 18, 2012
Don was a dear friend to me and so many others. You will be missed brother.
Ciarra Burks
April 18, 2012
Don was a fantastic person and great friend! He was very kind and had some memories with him! My heart goes out to his friends and family and let god heal their broken wounds and heart!!
Marsha Quiggins
April 18, 2012
We will miss you. Rough River General Store.
Jesse Pile
April 18, 2012
May GOD be with the family in this tragic time, and may DON'S NEW WINGS FLY FOREVER. Harned Fire & Rescue Chief
Fender Reflection
Karen Kelley
April 17, 2012
Don was the first person that I met in the medical device industry.... sitting on the floor of my family room with DHD parts and literature spread everywhere and two whole weeks to go before I was to start at Central Medical Services. Since that day, his smile has been in so many of our family memories....Chasing my son around the house while I cooked dinner and did his laundry, affectionately calling my son Hogarth and vice versa, AARC and NBRC parties, Ice Skating, Corvette Homecomings, Indy 500s, Concours de'Elegances, picking out my Grand Piano, Harleys, too many Road Stories to mention (all involving his ever so famous austerity program). He will be missed.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Michelle and the Klein family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob Leidgen
April 17, 2012
Don was one of the very first people I met at Seneca High school my sophomore year. He immediately made me feel welcome. He was special.
Liz Hembling
April 17, 2012
I am deeply saddened by the news of Don's passing. My heart is with Michelle and his family at this difficult time. Don was there for many milestones in my life. He was the best man at my wedding, Godfather to my daughter, and always there if you needed him. He was an amazing person who lived life on his terms. I am a better person for having known him, and I am privileged that he was a part of my world.
Patti Janke
April 17, 2012
My heart aches for each one of you. I am so sorry! Don was like a big brother to me and more! I will miss him and all our talks. Don is probably above all of us learning to fly with his own set wings, that is Angel wings. I love you all! My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you.
Katie Middleton
April 17, 2012
My love, thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle and to Don's family. He touched so many lives and will be truly missed. I'm sending warm wishes and thinking of you all at this time.
Scott Hall
April 17, 2012
Our Pitcher,Our Friend, We shared many a laugh and had the best of times. Michelle and family we are sorry for you loss.Donnie we will never forget you!
April 17, 2012
Don and his business partner took such good care of my dad when they did work on his home. Don always took the time to speak with our dad, which we appreciated and my dad enjoyed so much. We are all so shocked and saddened by the passing of this kind man, and hope that your memories will bring you some comfort in the difficult days ahead. Kathy McEuen Harmon
Latasha, Ever, Isabella, Esperanza and Esmeralda Melendez
April 17, 2012
Mr. Klein as I would call him w his reply being "yes Mrs. Melendez." So glad my family and I had the opportunity to have him in our life, not just as a landlord but as a friend. My girls looked at him and called him Uncle Don and they will forever remember him as just that. We love and miss you so much! Prayers go out to his family and his true love Michelle. xoxo
David Coleman
April 17, 2012
My love and heart goes out to the family, fiance, and friends of Donnie. I had the honor and pleasure of playing softball with him since the 90s and can not remember a day where I recall Donnie not carrying that smile with him. It was infectious and changed many upside-down days upright. I pray for the healing of everyone's hearts during this time. However we should all take away his passion for all that he was driven to take a part of and cherish the times we were able to spend with him. My love to you all.
Dave Coleman - Frazier (Arrow/Neutz/Chris' Boys) softball team-mate
April 17, 2012
Our love and prayers go out to his family from the Elliott family. Brenda Elliott Clark, Owensboro,Ky.
Carol Greissman
April 17, 2012
Words cannot express how sorry and saddened I am to learn of the loss of Don. He was a kind-hearted soul who would do anything for anyone. I played softball with Don and Michelle for 9 years and have many wonderful memories of our time together. I will miss hearing Don's words of wisdom and all of his engaging stories. My heart goes out to Don's family and especially Michelle.
Sarah Conway
April 17, 2012
Much love and many prayers for your family in such a tough time from the Conway Family. Sarah, Jim, Jimmy, Katelynn and McKenna.
Shellie *1 Hamm
April 17, 2012
It's truly sad to hear about the loss of a wonderful dear friend and a great man. I remember the day we met and how we just clicked as friends. We talked for hours and spent many more days enjoying life as we knew it. I will always remember the true friend you have always been and how you have been a wonderful friend to anyone that had the pleasure to call you their friend. Remember to keep something red by the front door to welcome us all home when we arrive. You will be missed by so many. We will hold you in our hearts forever. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Beth Stucke-Haynes
April 17, 2012
It breaks my heart for your loss. I am so happy that I was able to know him for my whole life. I am sending my love to the family.
Kenny Buckler
April 17, 2012
It's truly sad to hear about the loss of Don. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to Don's Family and Michelle. He was a great guy and I'll miss our conversations. I feel blessed at the opportunity to meet and know Don. Whether rafting trips, cookouts, or softball games, he had a great attitude and energy to him. His hard work is one of the best aspects I truly admired about him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and Michelle.
Diane Jeffries
April 17, 2012
Michelle and the Klein family, my heart aches for you - Michelle for losing the love of your life and the Klein family for facing another loss so soon after losing your husband/father. Don was a great guy and a good man. You are in my prayers. May God give you peace.
Gary Katz
April 17, 2012
I met Don briefly when he participated in a flying charity event to raise money for a disabled child in need of a chairlift.I had a chance to talk to Don that day and was struck by what a nice guy he was. The Bowman aviation community will certainly miss him.
Jenny Buckler Sydenstricker
April 17, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Don's family and especially Michelle. He had a warming smile and a adventurous spirit that will be missed. We are thinking of you Michelle and sending our love.
April 17, 2012
It has been years since I had seen Don but his passing still has an impact on my heart, as he was apart of our lives for about 10 years. Knowing how difficult this is, please find comfort knowing he is with his dad after living a life filled with the things he loved to do and surrounded by those that loved him. Prayers and sadness. Patty (Guy) Pennington
Julia Kirby
April 17, 2012
Don was a very warm person and within five minutes of meeting him, he would make you feel like you knew him for years. He was involved in so many activities, yet would stop everything to talk a few moments or give a very enthusiastic wave. Never had we met such a hard worker with such a joyful spirit. We never thought twice at the sight of him standing on his roof with a leaf blower at 8am with his headphones on, just working away… While we mourn the loss of a friend, our heart aches for Michelle and his family. We send thoughts and prayers to you in this time of grief.
Buck and Teresa Sowders
April 17, 2012
My husband and I am so sorry for your loss. Every time we seen him he was always with a smile, Always up beat no matter what was going on. He cared for all he meet and truly cared for people. The shock of his passing is still with us. To his family and Michelle again we are so sorry and he will be truly missed by all
John Mudd
April 17, 2012
Christa and I have known Don for many years, and the news of this tragedy filled our hearts with sadness. While reflecting on all the times we shared with him, the one word that can best describe those times is fun. Whether it was the times the guys would raft the Gauley being thrown all over the place in the cold rapids, dressing like parrot heads at Jeff and Angie's amazing Luaus, or bringing in the New Year together at Randy and Jennifer's, our times with Don – and Michelle – always meant fun. I could describe a hundred other good times, whether they involved softball, talking about and sharing our love for music, or simply talking about vacations, we always had fun. Don will be missed, but never forgotten. He always had a smile on his face, and he always embraced the principles of hard work. To the family, please know we loved Don, and know he will be in our souls forever. To Michelle, please know we love you just as we loved Don, and our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time of loss. People sometime say at times like this that the world is a little darker. In the case of Don, this is simply not true. Because of Don's passion for life, and the many friends he has made, his light will continue to shine for all who loved him.
Susan Mathis
April 17, 2012
My love, thoughts and prayers go out to the Klein Family and to Michelle. Don was a wonderful, giving person and I will always remember him that way. I will miss him dearly.
Betsey Miller
April 17, 2012
Michelle I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My heart and prayers go out to you and Don's family.
John Shasky
April 17, 2012
Kathy - I am very sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Jeri Toon
April 17, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Don will always be in our hearts. He was a very kind and generous man. You dont realize how much a person impacts your life until they are gone. Trellis Ct. will not be the same. We will miss you neighbor. Our hearts and prayers are with your family.
Brenda Welch Anderson
April 17, 2012
Kathy: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this most difficult time.
Christine and Tony Jones
April 17, 2012
We were saddened to hear of Don's passing. He was a friend to many and Friday nights at Frazier field would not have been the same without him. He will truly be missed. Our thoughts are with his entire family during this time.
Susan Biggers
April 17, 2012
So many thoughts and prayers go out to Don's family, friends and especially the love of his life, Michelle. It's so hard to believe this has happened. But he died what he loved doing and remember now he is soaring through the heavens above.
Theresa Fenwick Stutzenberger
April 17, 2012
I am so sorry that your family has to go through this. Don was a loving and caring man that DID make a difference with everyone that he came in contact with.
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You All!
Dianna Anderson
April 17, 2012
My love and prayers go out to the family and especially Michelle. Don was a great man and will be dearly missed.......Dianna Anderson
Tim Talton
April 17, 2012
There are many people I have met over the years I have been flight instructing - some good people and some that made me question the joy I usually found in flying. During the two years that I worked with Don, he quickly became "best friend" status. When we flew together to achieve our goal of him receiving his Instrument Rating, we worked but we also had fun. Upon his successful completion of becoming an Instrument Rated pilot, Don, Michelle, my wife Traci and I celebrated in style. When I was recently asked to retrieve a friend's airplane from a neighboring airport, I was particularly excited about the flight because Don agreed to be part of the effort. We had a great time that day and Don was gracious as always with his time and the assistance he offered. After returning to Bowman Field, I asked him if he wanted to go get something to eat. He laughed and he said he was always interested in eating but had other plans. I told him that's OK - I had his number and we would get together soon. Before we went our different ways, Don said, as he had mentioned before, "Still want to get together sometime to do some instrument flying." We never got the chance to do either. When Don and I flew together and he "out-performed" his instructor (which happened all too often), he would give me a little jab, laugh, and say, "Let the student become the teacher". In the loss of my friend, he taught me one more thing...take advantage of opportunities, don't assume there will always be tomorrow. I will greatly miss my friend Don. Michelle, you and the rest of the family are in our prayers!
April 17, 2012
All of my memories and prayers are with all of you. Peaceful thoughts, Sharon (Hendrick) Siegle
Tonee Guy
April 17, 2012
I was deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing and the loss your family is suffering. He will be missed by everyone that ever knew him. My heartfelt sympathy to his family & fiance, Michelle.
My thoughts & prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Matthew 5:4
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