POLAND âa�" Kenneth R. Klase, 69, of Poland, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening at his residence, surrounded by his family. Ken was born January 16, 1940 in Youngstown, a son of Kenneth W. and Eleanor M. Lightbody Klase and was a life long area resident. He was a 1958 graduate of East High School and a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church. Ken worked for the Youngstown City School District as a head custodian, for 45 years, before retiring in 2002. Ken enjoyed gardening, bird watching, music, going for drives in the country and his American Bulldog, Peggy. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Marie A. Perline, whom he married July 13, 1963; two daughters, Linda M. (Andy) Schengeli of Columbus and Andrea A. (James) Baer of Howland; two sons, Kenneth J. Klase of Pittsburgh and Daniel J. (Lizabeth) Klase of Poland; two sisters, Dorothy (Joseph) McNally of Poland and Laura (Thomas) Billock of Boardman; one brother, Michael Klase of Boardman; and nine grandchildren, Kenny, Dawn, Bianca, Alex, Daniel, Anthony, Dominic, Taylor and Jimmy. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, William M. Klase and infant Kurt Klase; and a sister-in-law, Lucy Klase. Family and friends will be received Saturday from 10:00 âa�" 10:45 a.m. at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Drive in Boardman, where services will take place at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Poland Riverside Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland. Condolences may be sent at
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