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BORN
1932
DIED
2025
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Gil Klein Obituary
September 4, 1932 - March 21, 2025
O'Fallon, Illinois - Gilbert J. 'Gil' Klein, age 92, of O'Fallon, Ill., former longtime resident of Fairview Heights, born September 4, 1932 in Shiloh, Ill., died Friday, March 21, 2025 at Memorial Hospital Shiloh.
Gil graduated from O'Fallon Township High School in 1950. He enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War. In 1959, he began operating a TV repair shop out of his home in Shiloh before opening a television service and sales location in Fairview Heights. In the 1970s, he expanded into appliance sales and service as Gil Klein TV & Appliance, now with third generation Klein family members as part of the team. Gil was proud of his family business and enjoyed being part of the Fairview Heights community.
When away from work, he enjoyed fishing from their home at Carlyle Lake. In retirement, he kept himself busy building birdhouses, with proceeds from sales donated to area food pantries. Gil was a charter member of the Fairview Heights Rotary Club, participated in local Chamber of Commerce events, was a former Shriner and former alderman in Fairview Heights.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Klein and Isabelle, nee Klucker, Klein Lotz; sister Marleen (Wayne) Jung, brothers Darwin "Sonny" Klein, and James Klein.
Surviving are his wife Audrey, nee Klemme, Klein; children David (Karen Tiemann) Klein, Doug (Laura) Klein, Lynn (Scott) Iler, and Dawn (Ray) Meyer; grandchildren Kristin (James) Green, Erica (Craig) Stoviak, Brittany (Alyssa) Klein, Daryn (Cierra) Klein, Katie (Eric) Hendrickson, Kiersten (Chris) Ban, Amanda (Caleb) Piatt, Clayton (Kristin) Iler, Logan Iler, Emma (Mitchell) McCroskey, Audrey (fiancé Reid Conner) Meyer, Trey Meyer, and Joel Meyer; 19 great-grandchildren; brother Dwayn "Dewey" Klein and sister-in-law Delores Klein, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
Visitation: The family will receive friends 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2025 at O'Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O'Fallon.
Funeral: 11 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2025 at O'Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O'Fallon, Ill. with Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gil Klein
Sponsored by Belleville News-Democrat.
5 Entries
Christine Baum Bennett
April 5, 2025
Gil was our landlord for years in Fairview Heights. A wonderful, caring man who was a pleasure to know. Prayers of comfort and peace for Audrey and family. R.I.P. Gil
PHIL ODOM
March 25, 2025
A SLOW SALUTE - TO A FELLOW VETERAN AND A NATIONAL HERO
THANK YOU - FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
We will remember you always and miss you dearly.
Take your Warrior's rest for a duty well done.
For the Family:
Even though I've never met your loved one,
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss.
May the force of GOD be with you as you walk through this difficult time.
May the loving promises of our LORD and Savior comfort you
and give you peace and understanding.
As a grateful Veteran, I hope you accept this as a small token of appreciation
for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one to our Country.
SEMPER FI
SGT. PHIL ODOM
FOX CO. WEAPONS PLATOON
2ND BATTALION/1ST MARINES
U. S. MARINE CORPS
AND VIETNAM VET
[email protected]
"For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know"
Lynn Sieber Gass
March 23, 2025
David and family, sorry to here your dad has passed on. May God comfort you and grant you peace .
gene smith
March 23, 2025
i knew gil back when he opened his tv repair shop in fairview in 1959. he was, indeed someone to look up to. he did it the right way and now, the 3rd generation will continue on. a good, honest and very impressive businessman.
Kimberly
March 23, 2025
I was sad to see that Gil had passed. Such good, honest man, who built a good and honest business. He's very well thought of by our family. A life well lived.
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Memorial Events
for Gil Klein
Mar
26
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wolfersberger Funeral Home - O'Fallon102 West Washington Street, O'Fallon, IL 62269
Funeral services provided by:
Wolfersberger Funeral Home - O'Fallon102 West Washington Street, O'Fallon, IL 62269
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