Shirley A Kleski

Shirley A. Kleski, 90, of Dover and formerly of Gnadenhutten, passed away June 23, 2021 at the Hospice Truman House in New Philadelphia, Ohio. She spent the last four years residing at Northwood Village of Dover. A daughter of the late William Addison and Mona Leona (Hilton) Metzger, Shirley was born in Tuscarawas, Ohio on February 7, 1931. After her graduation from Tuscarawas High School, where she was a majorette for the Tusky Broncos, she worked at Scio Pottery before marrying the love of her life, Fred H. Kleski. They married in October of 1951, and she spent many happy years as a homemaker and mother to their four children on their farm near Stillwater until she lost Fred in 1974.

Shirley cherished the many wonderful friendships she made throughout her life and loved to reminisce about her childhood memories of growing up in Tusky. Some of her favorite things were traveling with friends to see live country music and her many years ballroom dancing. Shirley was a natural caregiver in so many ways. Over the years, she helped care for a host of friends and family in their time of need. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who gave of herself effortlessly and will be missed dearly. Shirley attended the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church for over 40 years and was a volunteer at Twin City Hospital for over 35 years.

Shirley is survived by her children, Ernie (Jan) Kleski of Dover, Patricia (Joe) Gretchko of Navarre, Kathy (Scott) Abramczyk of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Sheryl (Nicholas) Montan of New Philadelphia. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Kurt, Kreig, Kris, Jamie, Mitch, Matt, and Ashley; five great-grandchildren, Aubree, Parker, Channing, Declan, and Kinley; eight step grandchildren, Ryan, Drew, Shane (deceased), Laura, Christi, Melissa, Jessica, and Justin; sister-in-law, Ethel Kleski; numerous nieces and nephews; and her very dear friends, Callene Petersen and Bob Palmer . In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her siblings, Betty (Herb) Reymond, Jean (Ed) Cochran, Harry Metzger, and Hilda (Bob) Johnson.

Visitation will be held at R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison on Saturday, June 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a 1:00 p.m. funeral at the funeral home. She will be interred beside her beloved husband in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley’s honor may be made to Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church and Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia.