Leland Klopmeier
Bunker Hill |
Leland Arthur Klopmeier, 86, passed away on October 15, 2022, at 12:30 am with family by his side.
He was born on February 25, 1936, in Moro Illinois to the late Arthur and Alma (Bertels) Klopmeier.
He married Marvine (Weidner) on July 28, 1956, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill. She preceded him in death on January 21, 2010.
He was a wonderful father to three daughters, Dawn Earnshaw of Bethalto, Laurel (Steve) West of Troy IL, and Gayla (Steve) Walters of Carlinville IL. He continued his role as a loving Grandpa to eight grandchildren: Suzy (Kurt) Trevisan, Scott (Tyler) Wheeler, Kelly (Brett) Sollberger, Kyle (Ericka) West, Amy (Adam) Wall, Lori (Tim) Lambeth, Molly (Justin) Joyce, and Megan (Chris) Walton. He was a very present Great Grandpa to 14 great-grandchildren: Aidan & Caleb Wheeler, Nora & Stella Sollberger, Jacob West, Austin & Cecilia Wall, Elliana, Aubree, and Charlotte Lambeth, Dean & Lydia Joyce, and Garrett & Mallory Walton.
He leaves behind a sister-in-law, Verlene Klopmeier, brothers-in-law, Gerald (Louise) Weidner of Bunker Hill, and Eugene Weidner, Florissant, MO, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law & mother-in-law Nelson & Lydia Weidner, his brother William Klopmeier, his son-in-law Charles Earnshaw and his sister-in-law Joyce Weidner.
Leland graduated from Bunker Hill High School and started working at Owens Illinois Glass as a machinist at age 20. He retired as a Project Engineer in 1994 from O-I after 38 years. During his later years at O-I, he had several international job assignments including in Australia, Finland, and Germany. He also enjoyed helping out on the family farms.
Throughout his life, he was active in the Zion Lutheran Church and civic leadership roles.
After he retired, he and Marvine enjoyed traveling, golfing, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation will be at Kravanya Funeral Home - Bunker Hill on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m. The Funeral service will be at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at 10 a.m. The burial will follow in the Bunker Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Kravanya Funeral Homes
