Joseph R. Kleeman Sr.

Joseph R. Kleeman Sr ., 86, of Girardville, passed away peacefully, Thursday, at Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian Street, Pottsville, with his family at his side.

Born in Ashland he was a son of the late Peter and Elizabeth Ann ( Rowland ) Kleeman. He was a restaurant owner all of his life and was last associated with the former Gallery in Pottsville until his retirement.

He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and was a life member of the former St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Girardville.

He was preceded in death by a son John Kleeman, a grandson Joseph Kleeman III, also by five brothers; Jack, Bob, Tom, Peter and Jimmy Kleeman.

Joe is survived by his wife of 66 years Marian ( Catizone ), three sons; Joseph and his wife Jane Kleeman, Fountain Springs, Peter and his wife Stephanie Kleeman and Anthony Kleeman, both of Girardville, three daughters; Marian wife of Jack Shirmer, Mt. Carmel, Mickey wife of Mark Smith, Pottsville and Conchetta wife of Doug Platt, Rochester, NY, 20 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and by several nieces and nephews and in-laws of the Catizone family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Girardville. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, on Sunday from 5 until 8 p.m. and on Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fountain Springs.

Contributions can be made, in Joe's name, to the Special Olympics in C/O SOPA - Schuylkill County at PO Box 691 Minersville, PA 17954, or to the Girard Hose Co. #1 at 120 E. Main St. Girardville, PA 17935 or to the Rangers Hose Co. at 6 E. Ogden St. Girardville, PA 17935 or to the Girardville Ambulance Association at 101 W. Main St. Girardville, PA 17935.