More detail on this person: John Michael "Mike"
Klear, 70, of Toledo, died peacefully in the
presence of family December 30, 2016 at Hospice
of Northwest Ohio. John was born August 18, 1946,
in Toledo and graduated from Central Catholic High
School in 1964. He married his high school
sweetheart, Gloria Mazuchowski at St. Hedwig's
Church, December 27, 1967. John proudly served
his country as a decorated Captain in the U.S.
Army from 1967 to 1971, earning the Bronze Star in
Vietnam as a 1st Cavalry Division helicopter
pilot, and later commanding a unit of the 1st
Battalion 32nd Armor in Frankfurt, Germany.
John then worked as a master carpenter, perfecting
his natural eye for meticulous detail and superb
craftsmanship building numerous homes and barns
in Toledo. He brought this dedication and tireless
work ethic to a second career at the the U.S.
Postal Service for 33 years. His extraordinary
talent for woodworking continued with countless
projects renovating historic homes and in his
workshop restoring clocks and antiques, building
furniture, collecting vintage hand tools, and
carving beauty out of any piece of wood he could
find.
John was a larger than life husband, proud father
and grandfather, brother, uncle, and a true friend
with his infectious energy, bright smile, and bold
handshake. He was by far the biggest University of
Michigan Wolverines football fan anyone ever saw.
His favorite ways of relaxing were in his famous
M-Den with a U of M football game on, boating with
family and friends on the lakes of Irish Hills,
and in making everyone laugh and feel at home with
his charisma, generosity, enthusiasm, and
humor.
He was a gifted woodworker, a warrior, a brave
heart, an old soul and forever our hero. We all
raise our glasses in honor of his favorite time,
"scotch o'clock". And true to his generous spirit,
John gave of everything until the end, donating
his body to The University of Toledo College of
Medicine and Life Sciences.
John is survived by his loving wife, Gloria;
children, John P. (Jenny) of Toledo, Julie A.
(Moulay) Essakalli of Cincinnati, Michael P.
(Jamie) of Toledo, and Kathryn R. (Angelo) Citino
of Elkton, MD; brother, Thomas E. Klear (Carol) of
North Ridgeville; sister, Carolyn L. Klear of
Maumee and sister, Joyce M. Brock (Frank M.) of
Oak Harbor; and grandchildren, Oskar, Josef, Noor,
Zak, Tate, Maggie, Francesca, and Phoebe. He
was preceded in death by his parents, Lavon R. and
Frances L. (nee Conry) Klear; sister, Mary G.
"Trudy" Bogue (John), brother, James L. (Annette)
Klear, and sister, Marilyn L. Klear.
A memorial mass will be held Saturday, January
14, at 11:00 a.m. at the Historic Church of St.
Patrick, 130 Avondale Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. In
lieu of flowers, charitable expressions may be
made to Historic Church of St. Patrick, Hospice of
Northwest Ohio, or a charity of the donor's
choice.
As published in The Toledo Blade from Jan. 4 to
Jan. 12, 2017
This information was last updated 01/12/2017
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