John Warren KLOPSCH

John was 74 when he went to heaven after a two-year battle with melanoma. Born to Warren John Klopsch and Gloria Marie Schneider in Chicago, IL, he was the oldest of his siblings, Barbara, Rob, and Steve. He grew up in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. He spent his summers as a boy working on his uncle's corn farm in northern Illinois and enjoying time at the family cottage on Lake Michigan. His parents divorced and he later gained two siblings from his father, Elizabeth Klopsch and Warren John Klopsch. His mother got re-married to Willis Arthur Lake and John gained another sibling, James Lake. John was a lifelong learner and earned many degrees including his Masters of Divinity, Masters of Marriage & Family Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. While at Northern Illinois University, he was a member of the SAE fraternity. He met his wife, Jean Ellen Darrow while attending Western Conservative Baptist Seminary. They married in 1971 and had two children, Steven John, and Jenna Lynn. The family moved to Spokane, WA in 1991 and John began his practice as a clinical psychologist. He continued in private practice until he was forced to retire due to multiple injuries. His practice and patients were his passion and he continued to counsel friends and family, out of love, as they reached out to him throughout the remainder of his life. His children both married spouses that John considered to be kids of his own. His son and daughter along with their spouses, Jorene Riggins and Jared Starr blessed him with 4 grandchildren, Noah, Jonah, Katie, and Jace, to whom he was known as "Papa Putz". John and Jean lived the last 20 years of their 50-year marriage in his dream home on Long Lake. John was an avid bass fisherman and loved having family gatherings, watching football, going on family camping trips, riding his razor, spending summers in San Diego, traveling overseas with his wife, drumming, studying God's word, and going out to lunch with close friends and family. John had a laugh that filled a room and his love for life was felt by everyone who met him. Upon receiving his terminal diagnosis, John said he was just as excited to meet Jesus as he was sad to leave his loved ones. He took his last breath laying next to his wife at the Hospice House of Spokane where he was tenderly cared for by the loving staff. John's presence on this earth leaves a huge void, but his close family and friends find comfort in knowing they will see him again. John's memorial service will be held at Suncrest Family Worship Center in Nine Mile Falls, WA on Dec. 18th at 2 pm and his remains will be spread at his favorite fishing spot in the prime of the fishing season next Spring. Memorials can be sent in his honor to one of his favorite organizations, Voice of the Martyrs.