To Celebrate a Life of Love: John Kleffner
May 15, 1930-August 21, 2021
John was called home to join the God he so faithfully believed in on August 21, 2021, surrounded by his children and loving companion at home in Helotes, TX. John was born in Howells, NE on May 15, 1930. He graduated from Conception High School in 1948 and studied four more years at Conception College, then spent a year at St. Paul’s Seminary in Minnesota. He was drafted into the Army and served 2 years. John attended Creighton University where he earned his BA in Education in 1957 and his MS in History in 1959. It was at Creighton where he met his first wife, Mary Ann Janda, studying German in the library.
John began his educational career at Papillion High School. He accepted a position in Oklahoma City to be the Vice-Superintendent of Catholic schools and then served as Superintendent. While in Oklahoma, John earned an Ed.D. in Education at the University of Oklahoma. An opportunity at Our Lady of the Lake University took John and the family to San Antonio in 1970, where he very happily lived, without ever having to pick up a snow shovel again. He took a position at the UT Dental school in 1973 and for many years thrived on his work, writing, and delivering workshops to teach clinicians how to be effective instructors.
John loved being an incarnate soul on this earth. He lived life enthusiastically with a joyful, grateful heart. He loved his family, loved to read and learn, loved to visit with people and always said, “God has been so good to me.” He loved being surrounded by his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed family celebrations, always recognizing the gift of family and God’s many blessings.
John prayed for his family and the world daily and lived a life of service. John was also a devoted volunteer. He was a volunteer at Christus Hospice for 26 years, where he sat with patients so they would not be alone, and then helping as an office volunteer. He was a volunteer with St Vincent De Paul for 17 years and organized the collection of food and delivery of Thanksgiving hampers for several years, always with efficiency and compassion.
John is survived by his children, Eileen, Theresa Funari, Daniel, Anne, and Chris; his grandchildren, Ashli Funari, Kellie, Cory and Maggie Martin, Robert Sinfield, Carson, Madeline and Reagan Kleffner; great-granddaughter, Addison Funari; brother, Don Kleffner (Janelle); sister, Lavina Mestl (Eugene); loving companion, Barbara Bauml; and will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Leo Kleffner; his siblings, Stan Kleffner, Mildred Knobbe, Catherine Meister; his wife, Colleen J. Kleffner.
VISITATION is 6 pm on September 2 with ROSARY at 7 pm, Mission Park Funeral Home, 3401 Cherry Ridge.
FUNERAL MASS is September 3 at 11 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 13715 Riggs Rd, Helotes, with the burial to follow at Helotes Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christus Hospice or Catholic Charities.