Ralph R. Kleeberger

Ralph R. Kleeberger, 85, a lifelong Perrysburg resident died Thursday, December 15, 2011 at UTMC after complications from a stroke. He was born in Perrysburg on April 1, 1926 to Frank and Addie (Shipman) Kleeberger and married the former Lee Anne Booth on September 22, 1951. Ralph graduated from Perrysburg High School in 1946 after having served in the U.S. Navy on a PT boat in the South Pacific during WWII. He then went to The Ohio State University, the University of Toledo, and also worked for the Perrysburg Police Department as a dispatcher before graduating from Bowling Green State University in 1951.In 1968 he received his Masters of Education. He was a guidance counselor at Northwood Schools for 30 years where he was also the advisor to Student Council and Key Club. Ralph was a lifelong member of Perrysburg First United Methodist Church serving on a number of different committees. He was a member of Phoenix Lodge #123, Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo and Zenobia Shrine where he drove patients to the Chicago Shriner Hospital. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Perrysburg Historical Society, and a former member of the Wood County Mental Health Board. His many varied interests included the Toledo Area Sculptors Guild where he sculpted and dedicated a statue to the children of Perrysburg called “The Old Town Pump”. He also published a book about growing up in Perrysburg titled “Tracks Along the River Bank”. He and his family loved boating, fishing and scuba diving in Northern Michigan where they also enjoyed winter sports. Ralph and Lee Anne enjoyed traveling all over the world. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Lee Anne; son, Steven (Cindy) Kleeberger, Chapel Hill, NC; daughters, Kathy (Kevin) Burkey, Toledo and Kristy (Mark) McKibbin, Troy, OH; grandchildren, Erin, Mary, Mike, Cameron, Kyle, Nicholas, and Lynnette; great-grandsons, David and Jacob; sister, Adelyn Marshall, Granville, OH; nephews David (Diane) and Kent (Gwen) Kleeberger, Rick Hanna; and neice, Lyn Hanna. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul Kleeberger. Friends will be received at the First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Second Street, Perrysburg after 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 where Memorial Services will be at 11:00 A.M. conducted by Pastor Gary Rode. The family suggests memorials to either a fund to purchase benches at “the Old Town Pump” c/o 5/3 bank or donations to First United Methodist Church. Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E.S Boundary(419-874-3133) is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be made to the family at www.witzlershank.com. The family would like to thank all of the staff at UTMC-ICU for the kind compassionate care given Ralph.