John "Jack" F. Klein

John “Jack” F. Klein, 89, of Crestline, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020 at the Avita Ontario Hospital, Ontario, OH.

Jack was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 5, 1931 to the late Lester P. Klein and Helen C. (Kelly) Klein. He married Shirley Ann (Meinzer) Klein on October 15, 1955 and she survives him in Crestline. They just celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary.

Jack served his country in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952, during the Korean War. He was very proud to be a Marine, “Once a Marine – Always a Marine” and continued to be patriotic throughout the rest of his life. He was a member of the American Legion Post 488, Crestline, where he was Post Commander in 1977. He was also a member of the VFW Post 2920 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #859, both of Crestline. Jack was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crestline. Jack earned a living as a graphic artist in Shelby for many years, and then retired from Anthony-Lee Screen Printing in Crestline. He enjoyed watching The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Indians, and NCIS with Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Jack was a member of the Black Flies Fishing Group, fishing in Lake Erie and Parry Sound Canada. He was truly a family man and was very blessed, creating many pen and ink drawings; enjoying crossword puzzles; having a green thumb in the garden and canning his harvestings; creating his famous Thanksgiving stuffing; and telling great stories from his Marine days and fishing trips. One story he told was that a young Senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy, bought him and a marine buddy, a beer when he was on a train headed for home on leave.

In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his children; Kathy Frankl, Crestline; Karen (Jeff Bykowski) Klein, Delaware; Jacqueline (Jim) Douglas, Mt. Vernon; John Klein, Pittsburgh, PA; his four grandchildren; Ashley (Jarrett) Smith, Matt Frankl, Michael (Lindsey) Kreisher; Ian (Hanna) Douglas, five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Donna Algire, Crestline, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Foy and his brother, Robert “Bugs” Klein.

Friends may call on Monday, December 21, 2020, from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, at the Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 West Main St. Crestline. The family will then observe a private funeral service with Pastor Diana Seaman officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Galion-Crestline Veteran’s Military Funeral Detail.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Crestline, in care of the funeral home.

In accordance with the Governor’s mandate, masks will now be required to enter the funeral home.

Those wishing to share a memory of Jack or send condolences to the Klein family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 W. Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of John “Jack” F. Klein.

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