Bob E. Kleier, 89, of Wellsville, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, at Olathe Medical Center.
Family will meet with friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa. Funeral services will immediately follow.
Interment at Wellsville Cemetery.
Bob was born April 9, 1929, in Nevada, Mo., the son of Jason and Doris (Glimpse) Kleier.
He lived in Wichita, Iola and Overland Park, moving in 1968 to Wellsville.
He graduated from Iola High School with the class of 1947 where he was a champion diver.
Bob was united in marriage to Barbara McGie March 26, 1948, in Eureka Springs, Ark. She preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 2015.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Jason and Doris Kleier, and brother, Jason Junior Kleier.
Survivors include his four children, Kay Bowers and husband Roger of Peculiar, Mo., Janet Keim of Lawrence, Kim Cash and husband John of Spring Hill, and Ron Kleier and wife Sandra of Rantoul; two siblings, Louise Buffmire of La Jolla, Calif., and Skip Kleier and wife Carolyn of Carbondale; 16 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was the owner/operator of a chain of grocery stores. In 1968, he opened his first store in Wellsville and expanded in Gardner, Spring Hill, De Soto, Edwardsville, Iola and Garnett. The stores operated under different names including Super Saver, Country Mart, and Cash Saver. Bob retired in 1993.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Bob was employed with Boeing in Wichita. He later worked at his parents grocery store at Gas City. Bob worked in advertising with Associated Wholesale Grocers where he designed the logo they still use today. In the late 1990s, he wrote a book entitled, Ill Never Ever Be in Retail Again. Bob spent the last years he had traveling and sharing stories about his book.
He was a former member of Wellsville Baptist Church and on the Board of Directors of Associated Wholesale Grocers.
Bob always loved being with his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed painting, fishing, playing pranks on people and was known for telling tall tales.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wellsville Retirement Community Activity Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Bobs Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com
