Jean Elizabeth Kleier

Jean Elizabeth Kleier was born in Springfield, Missouri on Tuesday, May 26th, 1936 to William D. & Mary E. (Mayfield) Hopkins. She was one of nine children born to this union. Jean went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 4, 2025 after a year-long battle with dementia.

She married Leeman A. Kleier on August 5, 1956. They were married 61 years prior to Leeman's death in 2017. Three sons were born to this marriage: Leeman A. Kleier, Jr., (Lorrie), Willard, MO; Kenneth W. Kleier (Terali), Sun City, AZ; and Paul E. Kleier (Jill), Livingston, TX. Jean also had five grandchildren: Chris Kleier, Michael Kleier, Josh Kleier, Hannah Kleier, and Levi Kleier; and three great grandchildren. Jean spent most of her life in Seymour and Springfield, Missouri. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1955. Jean was an Air Force wife for 21 years while Leeman was in Vietnam and ultimately finishing up his career in Alexandria, VA. Then they returned to Springfield, MO, for the remainder of their lives. Jean was wonderfully artistic and especially loved to paint beautiful pictures up until just months prior to her death. But she could also sew, knit and crochet, and paint ceramics. She and Leeman enjoyed working in Leeman's workshop making wood crafts, toothbrush holders for OACAC head starts, and many wood crafts for Vacation Bible School at South Haven Baptist Church. Jean was an avid reader and passed a lot of time with her nose in a book.

Out of her eight siblings, she is survived by only one brother, Darrell Hopkins of Red Hill, PA. Jean will be greatly missed by her sons, daughters-in-law, three sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Jean passed peacefully at the Willard Care Facility in Willard, MO. It was her wish not to have a funeral service. Following cremation, she will be laid to rest with Leeman in a short Celebration of Life at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd., Springfield, MO 65804 at 2 PM on Monday, Sept. 22nd, 2025. Online condolences can be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com

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