John H. Klinefelter Jr., 75, of Etna Green, passed away Monday, March 10, 2025, at home.
He was born on Nov. 27, 1949, in Warsaw, to John Sr. and Juanita Klinefelter. His strength, love for his family and view of living life to the fullest will continue with those left behind.
He has been a lifelong resident of Etna Green. He was a 1968 graduate of Triton Jr.-Sr. High School and attended electronics school in Grand Rapids, Mich., after graduation. John did contracted highway mowing for 25 years and retired after 21 years from Zimmer.
He was a devoted husband and married to the love of his life, Suzy, on Oct. 30, 1976, in Mentone and never looked back. They were partners in everything on life's journey together. They have shared 54 years of happiness together, 47 of those years in marriage. John was a jack of all trades and could build or fix just about anything. He loved his family, which he would do anything for, animals and his country. Other interests included researching history, which he was an expert when it came to the history of World War II or his hometown. He loved traveling with his wife, and was a staple at the local coffee shop, Etna Cafe, stirring up trouble which he was known to do from time to time.
He was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church in Etna Green, Warsaw Astronomical Society, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Etna Green Museum member and lifetime member of the NRA. He had many hobbies, which included photography, coin collecting, and researching history. He will forever be remembered in the hearts of his family as a wonderful husband, Dad, Grandpa and brother. He had a courageous, strong and beautiful soul that is now gone. He will be dearly missed by his friends and especially his family.
John's memory will continue through his family, his beloved wife, Suzy; their daughter, Stefanie (Derek) Sauer, Etna Green; and was Papa to his two grandsons, Alex and Bentley. Also surviving are two brothers, Jeff and Jim, of Etna Green; sister, Janet Stuntz, of Bremen; and brother-in-law, Steve (Linda) Shirey, of Bourbon. Preceding him in death were his parents, in-laws, Mary and Allen (Deed) Shirey, of Mentone; and brother-in-law, Gary Stuntz, of Bremen.
The funeral service will be held on 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 18 at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone.
The interment will take place, following the service, in the Etna Green Cemetery, Etna Green.
Visitation hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 17 at King Memorial Home, Mentone.
Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Etna Township Fire & Rescue or the Etna Green United Methodist Church.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.