L. Russell Klontz, 85, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, December 30, 2021, at his home. His death was sudden and unexpected.
Russell was born June 11, 1936, at Octa in Fayette County, Ohio to Eugene Russell and Frances Lorene Harper Klontz. He was a 1954 graduate of Washington High School, attended The Ohio State University and a lifelong resident of this community.
Before his retirement, he had worked in quality control and purchasing at Armco for 40 years.
He attended the Grace United Methodist Church; was a member of Jefferson Lodge #468 F. & A.M. in Jeffersonville; 32nd, Degree Masons, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Temple Shrine; Washington Shrine Club; Washington Court House Lodge #129 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and was a member of the auxiliaries of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion and O.E. Hardway Post #3762 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed gardening, home improvement projects and being with his family.
On November 15, 1956, he married the former Natalie McLean. She preceded him in death on April 4, 2014. He was also preceded by two sons, Keith Russell Klontz in 1960, and Kevin Ryan Klontz in 2011; a grandson, Keith Russell Klontz in 2015, and a brother, Roger Klontz.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Kurt and Sherie Klontz of West Chester, Ohio; a daughter and son-in-law, Karin and Duane Litteral of New Holland; nine grandchildren, Katie (Tim) Karwatske, Becky (Ryan) Bernard, Kara (Mark) White, Kalyn (Aubrey) Sarna, Kyle (Julia) Klontz, Marissa (Ren) Lawwell, Allison Rife, Gretchen Rife and Kenneth Klontz and 13 great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Sandra Klontz of Circleville; a sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Gary Herdman of Sabina and several nieces and nephews..
The funeral will be Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Russell’s granddaughter, the Rev. Becky Bernard, officiating. Burial will follow in the Milledgeville-Plymouth Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 11 a.m. until time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children; c/o the Washington Shrine Club, P.O. Box 164, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
