Bobby Earl Kleffer went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 13, 2013, while surrounded by his family at the Delta Community Hospital in Sikeston, Missouri.
Bob was born on March 8, 1931, to John Steven Kleffer and Nola Mae Kleffer in Flint, Michigan. As a child the family moved to the Essex, Missouri area where he remained a lifelong resident.
On October 25, 1958 Bob married Imogene Laverne Bledsoe of Campbell, Missouri. Their marriage was blessed by two children, Steven Monroe Kleffer in 1960 and Nola Jean Kleffer in 1962.
Bob owned a gas station in Dexter, MO and then returned to college and earned Bachelor and Master degrees in education. Bob then started his career as a school teacher in the Richland School District where he taught for twenty five years. Bob retired from teaching in 1991. Bob had a positive influence on many students who passed through the Richland School halls. He is fondly remembered and many stories abound and are told by his former students. Bob also owned and operated a farm at his home near Essex. Bob was an active and founding member, deacon, and Sunday school teacher at the Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter for many years.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nola Kleffer.
He is survived by his lifelong friend and wife, Jean, of the home; one son, Steve Kleffer of Essex; one daughter Nola Ledbetter of Holts Summit, Missouri; one grandson, Ryan Kleffer, of Essex; three granddaughters, Ashley Kleffer Riley of St. Louis, Missouri, Leah Ledbetter of Columbia, Missouri, and Hannah Ledbetter of Fulton, Missouri; one great granddaughter, Myra Jade Austill of Columbia, Missouri; 3 step-great -grandchildren, Hannah, Sophie and Shane Riley of St. Louis, Missouri. Bob leaves other family members, many friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ that will miss him dearly.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 17, 2013.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at 11:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Lonnie Mittag officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
