Erwin Odine Kleen
Erwin Odine Kleen, 76, died Aug. 29, 2011. He was born Dec. 14, 1934, in Llano, the second child of Audley and Juanita Smith Kleen.
Known to most as “Jiggs,” he grew up in Llano, Bertram and Burnet and was affiliated with the Baptist church. He attended Southwest Texas State in San Marcos, today known as Texas State University, and resided in Watauga, retiring from the Hurst Parks Department. He was a member of Hurst Masonic Lodge and Sons of the Republic of Texas, a descendant of Andrew Jackson Kent who died at the Battle of the Alamo.
He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and worked with the Big Brother program.
He enjoyed traveling, taking pictures, plants, birds, jokes, farm animals, family reunions, school reunions, bluegrass music, good friends and his letters and phone talks with his adopted cousin Ethel Patterson from Lafayette, Ind.
He especially enjoyed the reunions in Bethel Community where his grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparent McCoy lived. He looked forward to the days when his friends from Meals on Wheels came by. They not only brought him good food but also friendship. He was a sentimental person and still owned the little house in Bertram that his grandmother Susie Smith lived in.
Survivors include stepsisters Nita Ann Naumann and husband David of Spicewood, and Patricia Earlene Hawkins of Granite Shoals; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather Leroy Earl Patterson; brother James Ray Kleen; sister Audrey Suell Plew; niece Kathy Elaine Kleen; and nephew James Audley Kleen,
A funeral service is 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222, with the Rev. Gordon Bergstrom officiating.
Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Johnnie Bindseil, Dwayne Schuessler, Donald Naumann, Dana Naumann, Damon Naumann and Gary Wall.
Memorial contributions in his memory can made to Meals on Wheels, c/o 320 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76104-3525 or the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219.
Condolences can be made at www.clementswilcoxburnet.com.