Vernell Kenneth Kleinhans

With a sad heart, the family of Vernell Kenneth Kleinhans announces his passing on April 28, 2023 at the age of 73 at the Genoa Retirement Village, Genoa, Ohio. Vernell was born on October 19, 1949, to Mildred (Rauch) and Kenneth Kleinhans of Oak Harbor, Ohio.

He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1967 and married Pam (Cline) on May 25, 1969. Nell was a devoted and hard-working husband, father, brother, son, uncle and grandpa who grew up farming, working at Chryslers, driving truck cross-country hauling produce, steel, and milk; finally retiring after 27 years with United Parcel Service in 2011. During his time with UPS, he became known as “Vern” and earned safe-driving awards nearly every single year; living up to his “slow down” and “pay attention” defensive-driving advice that he “shared” with his wife and daughters during every single ride with them.

Vern was an avid deer hunter, handyman, and woodworker; refinishing, repairing and crafting dozens of projects, even within weeks of his passing. He and his wife loved to travel and took the opportunity to visit Texas, England, Maine, Idaho, Turkey, and Texas (again) where their oldest daughter was stationed with the United States Air Force. They also took bus trips to destinations out West, Mississippi, New Orleans, Nashville, and the Rocky Mountains. They loved to pack up and go camping in their RV to Ohio parks and enjoy summer weeks and the fall colors. He also enjoyed listening to old truck driving songs and classic country music (not the new stuff).

Vern will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, daughters Deanna (Michael) Markovitch, Tanya (Roger) Wendt and Cindy (Mike) Dunfee and three beautiful and talented granddaughters Ashlyn, Emma and Miranda; sisters Shirley (Jim) Hasselbach, Karen Stutz, Sandy (Gary) Molnar, Vicky (Fred) Geldien and Crystal (Bob) Paulsen and sister-in-law Laurann Kleinhans. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Mark and Randy, his baby sister, and brother-in-law Jim Stutz.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 2-8pm at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Oak Harbor Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 11am on Friday, May 5, 2023 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, with burial to follow in Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society or St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be shared with family at www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Magruder Hospital, Firelands Regional Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic and the Genoa Retirement Village for their care and support throughout this journey.