William J. “Bill” Keinhelter, age 77 of Celestine, passed away at 3:35 a.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper.
Bill was born in Celestine on May 28, 1942 to Hubert and Adele (Merkley) Kleinhelter. He married Betty A. Fetter on November 30, 1963 in Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Mariah Hill.
He retired from Wabash Valley Produce after many years of service.
Bill was a member of St. Isidore Parish – St. Celestine Catholic Church and the Good Shepard of the Hills Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Celestine Community Club.
He enjoyed hunting, gardening, watching old westerns and reading old western books, watching Indiana University basketball, watching the grandkids sporting events, and spending time with friends and family.
Surviving are his wife, Betty A. Kleinhelter of Celestine, three daughters, Annette Jones (Gary) Santa Claus, Ashley Schwenk (Ryan), Ireland, and Heather Terwiske (Joel), Dubois, two sons, Terry (Jan), Celestine, and Tom Kleinhelter (Angie), Jasper; 12 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one sister, Barb Knies, Celestine; and one brother, John Kleinhelter (Pam), Jacksonville, FL.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters who passed in childbirth; and his Godfather, Lawrence Kleinhelter.
A Mass of Christian burial for William J. “Bill” Kleinhelter was held on Monday, December 2, at St. Celestine Catholic Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Becher-Kluesner Funeral Home in Jasper was in charge of all arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Isidore Parish, the Celestine Volunteer Fire Department, or to a favorite charity. Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
