Charles F. KLEPTZ

News Death Notice

KLEPTZ, Charles F. age 80 of Union, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2014. Chic Kleptz was a man of many talents and skills, but above all, his family meant more to him than anything else in the world. Married for 56 years to Arlene (Bouchard), his "Queenie" and the love of his life, Chic was a 1958 graduate of Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, and one of the original founders of Ponderosa Steak House in 1965 in Kokomo, IN. He was a mechanical engineer by degree, but an inventor and tinkerer by practice, and also owned Kleptz Engineering Co., another successful company in Kokomo. Obtaining his pilot's license in the 1960's, he flew his own plane to Alaska and British Columbia on multiple hunting trips, coming home with a trophy of almost every animal in North America. In addition to bears, moose, elk, caribou and more, Chic also shot a walrus in the Bering Strait that landed him in the record book of Boone and Crockett. Moving to Ohio in 1971, Chic retired from Ponderosa at the age of 39 and began breeding Black Angus and farming on a large scale. During the 1980's Chic built his experimental Glasair plane, and began to restore antique cars. Chic and Arlene, own the largest private collection of Marmon cars in the world, almost all of them restored and rebuilt by Chic. He began racing in the Great American Race, a coast to coast antique car rally and competed 12 years, always with his family by his side. In 2000 he drove Around The World In 80 Days, an international antique car rally, in a 1929 Marmon he restored especially for this race, coming in third out of over 100 cars on the London to Beijing leg. While Chic and Arlene owned a winter home in Naples, FL, his favorite vacation spot was Lonesome Acres, his property in Spencer, IN and he never missed an opportunity to go there, always with his family and friends. Chic and Arlene have 4 children, Marthann (Jerry) Heil, Tom (Melissa) Kleptz, Tim (Michelle) Kleptz, and Marybeth Kleptz, and 12 grandchildren, Jeremy, Lauren, Alex, Charlie, Jamie, Clarie, Nick, Carrie Beth, Maddie, Jonnie, CJ and Nathan. Chic is also survived by his sister Marge Gallian, his brothers, Joe and Jim Kleptz, and many special nephews, nieces and lifelong friends. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 14, 2014 at the Kindred Funeral Home, 400 Union Blvd., Englewood, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, 972 S. Miami St., West Milton, with Fr. John MacQuarrie as celebrant. Interment will follow the Mass at Bethel Cemetery near Phillipsburg. All are welcome to a party in celebration of Chic's life to be held at his car museum following the burial. Chic cared deeply about his community and always believed in paying it forward. He was a founding member of St. Paul's parish and served on numerous local and state boards. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kleptz YMCA in Englewood, the Northmont Education Foundation and the Kleptz Early Learning Center. Chic was an amazing man-brilliant, hardworking, kind, loving and fair. He was one of a kind and will be deeply missed. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kindredfuneralhome.com