Kenneth Berl "KB" Kleckner, age 70, passed away suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Medina, Ohio on February 13, 2019.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 48 years, Nancy; sons Mark (Lori) Kleckner of Shelby Township, MI and David (Joanna) Kleckner of Akron; daughter Tammy (Scott) Zollner of Medina; 7 well-loved grandchildren; sisters Diane Gordon of Loves Park, IL and Marcia Johnson of Freeport, IL; brother Gerry Kleckner of Wayzata, MN. He is also survived by many in-laws, more than 50 beloved cousins, and several nieces and nephews.

Ken was born on March 2, 1948, the eldest son of Berl & Lore Kleckner and grew up on the family farm near Lena, Illinois. He attended Lena-Winslow High School and The University of Illinois, where he received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

He spent over 3 decades with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where he earned a well-deserved reputation for his problem solving, people skills, and safety. He excelled at manufacturing management, which gave him and his family the opportunity to live in several interesting places: Union City, TN; Lawton, OK; Madisonville, KY; Wolverhampton, England; Napanee, ON Canada; Cumberland, MD, and Akron, OH. At each location, he was charged with either modernizing a Goodyear plant or building a new one—and then moving on to the next project. He spent his last several years with Goodyear at the company's headquarters in Akron, OH as Vice President of Global Engineering & Manufacturing Technology.

He retired from Goodyear in 2002, but missing the challenges of corporate life, soon joined Mohawk Industries in Calhoun, Georgia where he applied his management skills to the manufacture of flooring and other household furnishings. He retired from Mohawk in 2014 as Vice President Manufacturing & Product Supply.

Ken and Nancy then returned to Ohio to be close to children and grandchildren. Ken continued to consult independently with numerous manufacturers until his passing.

He was a member of Medina United Methodist Church.

Family and friends who were touched by Ken's life are invited to attend his services.  There will be a visitation from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Medina United Methodist Church, 4747 Foote Rd, Medina, OH 44256.  A Celebration of Ken's Life will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m.

Ken's final resting place will be at Poe Cemetery in Montville Township at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Memorial Fund, Medina United Methodist Church, 4747 Foote Rd, Medina, OH 44256 or Mt Vernon United Methodist Church, 597 LaFayette Rd, Rocky Face, GA 30740.

Online condolences may be left at waitefuneralhome.com.