Herman Louis Kleiman, 97, of Greenfield died Thursday evening, May 17, 2012, at the farm where he had been born on June 28, 1914. He was the younger son of Christian and Anna Rabe Kleiman and brother of Edward. On June 9, 1940, he married Anna Lorraine Smith who died on Aug. 4, 1969. On Oct. 20, 1973, he married Genevieve Mitchell Steele who died on Feb. 28, 2011.
Herman was an active participant at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Carmel, as well as a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church where he had served as treasurer and chair of the building committee. An avid instrument pilot for 51 years without incident, he was active in Flying Farmers, and for several years managed farm land for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. He served on the boards of Farm Bureau, REMC, and Hancock County Soil Conservation and Co-op. He graduated from New Palestine High School in 1931. Herman was a lifelong farmer and was still harvesting at 97 years old.
Surviving him are these families, Larry and Rose Kleiman; grandchildren, Seth and Amanda Kleiman; great-granddaughter, Anna Kleiman; and expected great-grandson, Gavin Kleiman; children, Greg and Shelly Kleiman; grandchildren, Nick and Carrie Kleiman; great-grandchildren, Ella and Jack Kleiman; grandchildren, Natalie and Jeff Lewis; and great-granddaughter, Julia Lewis; step-son, John Steele and wife, Judith; grandchildren, Scott and Brent Steele; and step-son-in-law, Jeff Heaton; grandchildren, Laurissa, Joe, Danny, Kyle, and Janene.
Friends are invited to visit the family from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Memorial services celebrating Herman’s life are planned for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2012, in St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 3106 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN, 46033. A private burial is planned at the New Palestine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite charity in Herman’s honor. Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
