Obituary
Stephen (Steve) Kluch, Jr.
5-19-1943 – 11-9-2021
Fort Myers, Florida
Steve, 78 years old, went to his heavenly home peacefully from his wife’s arms in his earthly home, in Fort Myers, Florida, early Tuesday morning after a month-long battle with lung cancer.
Son of the late Helen (Born Helena Fundarek) and the late Stephen (Steve) Kluch, Sr., Brother of the late Nancy Potocek and the late Joyce Bukovski. Son-in-law to the late Lorraine Cserep (June 21,2021) and brother-in-law to the late Denise (Cserep) Alo (January 3, 2020). He was the last and oldest survivor of his immediate family. The family changed their last name from Klucovsky to Kluch in 1962.
The ones he left behind include his loving wife of 38+ years, Marlene (Cserep) Kluch, four children and their spouses – Carolyn (Mark) Beery, Stephen G. (Carla) Kluch, Kenneth (Sofia) Kluch, Jacqlyn (Gary) West, Sr.; thirteen grandchildren – Sarah West (Ryan) Wauchop, Jacob Kluch (engaged to Amber Widmer), Gary (Kalynn) West, Jr., Gabriella Kluch, Madison West, Jonah Kluch, Devon Kluch, Hannah Kluch, Jake Beery, Brooke Beery, Tyler Kluch, James Kluch, Luke Beery; and one great grandson – Gary Wayne West III. Brother-in-laws – William Potocek, John Bukovski, Pasquale Alo, Ronald (Tiffany) Cserep, Sister-in-laws – Nancy (Fred) Mueller. Nieces and nephews – Kathy (late Jeffrey) Kinney, Richard (Kelly) Potocek, Cara (Glen) Bukovski/Poznoff, Jeffrey (Jami) Mueller, Julie (Osvaldo) Zambrano, Vincent Alo, Jamie Mueller, Nicolas Alo, Kasten & Leah Cserep and further blessings of great nieces and nephews – Matthew (Emily) Kinney, Steven (Laney) Kinney, Samantha (Robbie) Petrick, EriK Potocek, Jennifer Potocek (engaged to Caleb Mrozinsky), Ellie, Camille & Liana Zambrano, Aubrey & Haley Mueller, Audrey Vandermolen-Alo, Oliver, Theodore & Sullivan Kinney, and Heidi Petrick.
He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Harrison High School 1961. He then went to into the U.S. Army, Spec. 5. and served two years in Germany between 1962 and 1964 where he met a life-long friend Dexter Sandrik in basic training. When returning from the service they reunited along with Joe Wesolowski. They became a trio of fun and surprises. Steve was the last of the trio to get to heaven. He was able to retire early from his career job as an elevator mechanic/ adjuster with Otis Elevator (35 Years of Service) on June 30, 2000. He moved to Fort Myers, Florida because of his health – COPD and heart issues. His famous words will long be remembered by his peers – “Yesterday, was my last Day!”, when he turned in his time tickets, KDT and keys at the Friday morning safety meeting breakfast at Bob Evans with no advance notice to the company. He enjoyed over 21 years of retirement being the “Mr. Fix-it” handyman for anyone that knew him in between playing golf, fishing with his grandchildren, cooking and watching his BIG screen TV. He enjoyed relaxing at the condo at Estero Beach Club East since 1987, on Fort Myers Beach and walking the beach with his wife and family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. He loved his family and couldn’t wait for the next visit. During the years of retirement, he underwent over 22 surgeries, 3 heart attacks, that included open heart, double bypass surgery in 2016, many procedures and therapies. He was the energizer bunny, but finally the batteries were tired just ran out. He had been in pain management for the past 4 years. He definitely knew that he was going to heaven and couldn’t wait to get there – no more pain!
He was a born-again Christian, accompanying his wife in a “Believer’s Baptism” on December 22, 2013 and a member of McGregor Baptist Church. He loved attending bible study on Wednesday nights, being a part of the Fishers of Men Life Group on Sunday after church services and especially the Tuesday night men’s bible group. He also served with the Handyman Ministry whenever possible. Last spring, he joined the Gideons International and was seen passing out bibles at the Strawberry Festival in Tampa. God used him in many ways to minister to others.
His wish was to be cremated and the ashes put out in the gulf. A “Celebration” of his life will take place on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at McGregor Baptist Church, Hope Building – Children’s Theatre, 3750 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, at 2:00 p.m. Please sign the guest book and fill out a memory card at the “Celebration” to share your favorite memory of Steve with his family. You may also join the live stream of the service using this link: Access to Steve Kluch’s Service Interment will be private at a later date.
Memorials in his name can be made to Touching Lives Worldwide www.touchinglivesworldwide.org or the Gideons International at www.SendTheWord.org Arrangements were made by Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society – www.BaldwinCremation.com
Pam
He will always be my HERO!