Paul Harold Klafter

Paul Harold Klafter, 83, of Genoa, OH died Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Genoa Retirement Village. He was born on February 5, 1929 in Sandusky, OH to Harold L. and Anna Ruth Schoewe Klafter. Paul played professional baseball for the Cleveland Indians from 1951-1952. He graduated from Capital University in Columbus, OH in 1952 and received his Master Degree at the University of Toledo in 1974. On May 8, 1953 in Venice, OH he married Mary Ann Coulter, and she survives. Paul entered the U.S. Army in November 1953 as a private, served his active duty time and in the reserves until he retired on July 12, 1965 as a captain and a member of the 101st Airborne. He was a member of Solomon Lutheran Church in Woodville, OH and the Genoa American Legion Post #324. Paul taught in the Toledo Public School System at Libbey High School for 23 years and was the athletic director for 5 of those years before retiring in 1990. Pauls great love was farming. In 1979, they moved to an old farm house outside of Genoa, OH and started to plant apple trees and Klafter Orchard was born, which they ran for 22 years. In addition to Ann, his loving wife of 59 years, Paul is survived by his 4 children: Michaele Ann Klorer, David Paul Klafter, Deborah Lee Klafter, and Kathryn Lynn Klafter, 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and sister: Nancy Smetzer of Norwalk, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother: James F. Klafter and grandson: Jeffrey Klorer. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 2-8 p.m., with the family present 2-4 6-8 p.m., at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Solomon Lutheran Church, Woodville, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorials for Paul may be directed to Solomon Lutheran Church, Woodville, OH or the Genoa Retirement Village. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.