KARL A. KLEMM

KARL A. KLEMM, 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at Parkview Heart Institute surrounded by his loving family. Born Dec. 10, 1935, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late Karl F. and Hermine (Schlund) Klemm. He graduated from Elmhurst High School in 1954. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1958 to 1960. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Fort Wayne to complete his Journeymanship in Tool & Die at Toolcraft Industries, New Haven. He married the love of his life, Judy Chronister, on Jan. 21, 1961, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January of 2011. He retired from Dana Corporation, Fort Wayne in 2000. He was a 57 year member of the Fort Wayne Sports Club; and also a proud member of the Leo Masonic Lodge, the Leo O.E.S, Valley of Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine Fort Wayne. He served the Mizpah Shrine and the Shrine Children on the Board of Governors at the Chicago Shriner's Hospitals for Children since 2005, retiring in December of 2010. He served on numerous committees at Mizpah Temple and belonged to a number of clubs and units. His greatest joy was serving as a van scheduler for the Fort Wayne area and transporting children to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children in Chicago and Cincinnati. He enjoyed woodworking, mowing his yard with his new zero turn lawnmower, spending time with his family and traveling. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy; children, Karl R. (Jane) Klemm of New Haven, Karen (Brett) Kippert of Huntertown, Kristi Thompson and Kurt Klemm, both of Fort Wayne; sister, Marlene (Harold) Schieferstien of Decatur; he was also a proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his loving companions, Buddy and Andy; and his dear friend, Tom Harz. He was also preceded in death by his infant daughter, Debra Kay. Service is 10 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7211 Stellhorn Road, with calling one hour prior. Dr. James Cress officiating. Calling also from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2011, at D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, with Masonic service at 7:30 p.m. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne. Memorials may be made to the Mizpah Shrine Transportation Fund. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.mccombandsons.com