Jack R. Klaus

Jack R. Klaus, age 83 of Highland, IL, died Saturday, September 01, 2012, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJC) in Saint Louis, MO. He was born on Monday, November 19, 1928, in Highland, IL, the son of Delmer J. \"Eulox\" and Eunice G. (nee Hebrank) Klaus. On Thursday, July 21, 1955, he married Gloria Marie Klaus (nee Zobrist) who survives . Jack was born in 1928 at Highland, IL; he graduated from Highland High School in 1946, during his senior year he began working for his father who was a Shell Oil Jobber and owned Klaus Service Company. Later he served with the US Army, 65th Engineer Combat Division. He was a Sergeant 1st Class, during the Korean War, served from Jan 1951-Oct 1952 and received the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze stars and a UN Service Medal. After his service with the US Army he went back to the family business and took over when his father retired in 1963. His wife Gloria helped with the bookkeeping and managing the office. In 1990 he and his wife retired from the business. In retirement, he loved spending time at his 10 acre hobby farm. Out there, Jack raised everything from sheep to goats to chickens and had spent a lot of time with family and friends. Most important thing in his life and he often talked about is how special it is to him that his family is so close. Memberships: *Evangelical United Church of Christ, Highland, IL (Consistory, Endowment & Trust Fund Committee, Property Board; He helped coordinate the original food pantry through EvUCC church which grew into the Highland Area Christian Service Ministry (HACSM) community wide program of today) *Rotary Club Member since 1981 (Paul Harris Fellow, Past Treasurer) *Optimist Club Member *Member of the Highland Alumni Association and Hall of Fame Inaugural (recipient for Public Service) *VFW Post 5694, Highland, IL (Lifetime Member) *Lee Iten Post 439, American Legion (Life Time Member) *Faith Countryside Homes - (Board of Directors and volunteer van driver) *Highland Area Community Foundation (founding donor, past member of the Board of Directors & established a fund to benefit the operations of the Korte Recreation Center) *Highland Historical Society * Helvetia Township Trustee *City of Highland Playground & Weinheimer Boards *Former Board of Directors for Farmers & Merchants/Eagle Bank *Highland Primary School - Special Olympics Young Athletes volunteer *Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association Past President * Recipient of the 2012 Homer Poss Lifetime Achievement Award Survivors include: Wife - Gloria M. Klaus nee Zobrist, Highland, IL Daughter - Vicky K. (James, Jr.) Rankin, Highland, IL Daughter - Karla K. (Jerome) Zurliene, Highland, IL Daughter - Connie K. Sparlin, Highland, IL Grandchild - Heather J. (Tim) Sendera, Austin, TX Grandchild - Drew J. (Fiancee Jen Schuette) Rankin, Highland, IL Grandchild - Jeremy R. (Kelli) Zurliene, Highland, IL Grandchild - Chad A. (Special Friend Jana Gathard) Zurliene, Highland, IL Grandchild - Nick G. (Special Friend Rachel Thornton) Sparlin, Highland, IL Grandchild - Ben R. Sparlin, Highland, IL Great Grandchild - Jonathan J. Sendera, Austin, TX Great Grandchild - Will J. Sendera, Austin, TX Brother - Tal E. (Dee) Klaus, Oceanside, CA Sister - Kay M. Pahl, Broomfield, CO Brother - Dale D. (Susan) Klaus, Spring Hill, TN. He was preceded in death by: Father - Delmer J. "Eulox" Klaus died 12/30/1981 Mother - Eunice G. Klaus nee Hebrank died 6/15/1997 Son In-law - Kenny G. Sparlin died 4/21/2006.

Jack R. Klaus

November 19, 1928 - September 1, 2012