Obituary of John Joseph Klauke
KLAUKE, John (Jack) - Surrounded by his family at Bluewater Health, Jack Klauke, died Friday, November 13, 2015 at the age of 80. Beloved husband of Sheila Klauke (nee Morris) for 58 years. Loving father of Katherine (Jamie) Maczko, Michael (Wendy) Klauke, the late Elizabeth Klauke (2006), and the late Joanne Klauke-LaBelle (2015) (Richard). Cherished grandfather of Sarah Wilson (Christopher), James Maczko (Desiree’), David Maczko (Erica), Julianne Walker (Michael), Brittany O’Neill, Harland Klauke, Nicholas Klauke, Jessica Nash, Christopher Nash, Johnathan Nash, Randy LaBelle (Terilyn), Jessie LaBelle (Krista), Great Grand Children: Cole LaBelle, Ava Wilson, Paige Wilson and Sadie Wilson. Also survived by his brother, Richard (Judy) Klauke as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Hilda & John Klauke. Jack was very proud of his profession as a Chemical Engineer and especially proud of the long heritage of engineering within the Klauke family. Jack graduated from the University of Toronto with honors in 1956 and completed his MBA from Wayne State University in 1972, also with honors. He enjoyed a successful career in Operations Management at Polymer/Polysar/Bayer, where he retired in 1992. Jack loved football and proudly played for the University of Toronto as an Offensive and Defensive tackle. He was an avid hockey fan (Go Leafs) and coached minor hockey in Sarnia for many years. Jack was always an advocate for the young people in the community and was on the board for the Huron House Boys Home, Harmony for Youth, and Golden K Kiwanis. He was a person of Strong Catholic Faith who was actively involved in the Church as a lay person with Cursillo, CFM and Cor. Some of Jack's best friends came out of his involvement in these special organizations. Jack's legacy was the “Haus that Jack Built”… a fantastic family vacation home which he, Sheila and Old Opa built by hand at Jacksons Cove. Visitation will be held at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia, 4-7 p.m., Monday, November 16, 2015, where prayers will be offered at 6:30 p.m. with Deacon Dave Robertson. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Festus Komolafe, at Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. Cremation to follow with interment at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to St. Clair Child & Youth Services, 129 Kendall St. Point Edward, N7V 4G6. (cheques only at the funeral home please). Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com
A tree will be planted in memory of John Klauke in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 18th, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.