JOHN KLAAS

John was a journeyman machinist throughout his career and attended Bellaire High School. He loved fishing, going to the beach, watching the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes and mostly being with his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters. He had many friends who he was known to as “Big John”. Everyone who met John loved him. He was known as Pap not just to his grandchildren but to their friends also.

John was a protestant by faith and belonged to the Salvation Army where he played his trumpet in the Salvation Army band during his early years. He later joined the First United Methodist Church in Bellaire. John’s biggest accomplishment in life was raising his five children who he was very proud of.

John is survived by his five loving children; Lori (Mark) McKeen, Christine (Greg) Parker, Steve (Diane) Klaas, Sharon (Bill) Klaas and Jeff (Sonya) Klaas, a sister Patsy Wasilko, nine grand- children; John Klaas III (Danielle Evans), Joshua (Haley) Klaas (who he shared a birthday with), Hannah (John) Weaver, Mark McKeen Jr., Zachary McKeen, Greg Parker Jr., Tom Parker, Derek Klaas and Amanda Klaas, three great- granddaughters; Vivian and Vera Klaas and Ruthie Weaver; and nephew Tim Wasilko.

John lived out his dream of moving to the beach and spent his last year in North Myrtle Beach enjoying the sunshine and palm trees. A Memorial/ Celebration of Life service will be held on the beach with his family and friends in attendance at a later date.