Fred Albert Klanke (68) of Flora

Fred Albert Klanke, 68, of Flora, Illinois passed away at 10:20 a.m., Saturday, September 10, 2016, at his home in Flora.

Arrangements are being handled by J.W. Neal Funeral Home, Louisville, IL where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 13. A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, September 14 at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Military rites will be accorded and interment will follow at Golden Cemetery in Flora. Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled Veterans of America or to a favorite veteran memorial organization and will be received at the funeral home. Please visit www.jwnealfuneralhome.net to leave memorial tributes, condolences or to light a candle.

Fred was born January 27, 1948, in Salem, the son of John H. Klanke of Xenia and the late Lena Marie (Milburn) Klanke. He served as the regional manager of Rio Grande Valley Gas in Brownsville, Texas. He was the past district governor of the 2A3 International Lions Club, and 1st class of leadership in Brownsville, TX. He was also a member of the Jaycees in Brownsville, several service organizations; a member of the South Padre Island & Brownsville International Airport Advisory Board. Fred loved to dance, served as president of the chamber of commerce in Pharr, TX, and clerk of the Flora Chamber of Commerce. He is fondly remembered as a man that "could sell ice cubes to an eskimo".

Fred is survived by his son, Fred Anthony Klanke of Belleville, MI; daughter, Penny Klanke of Belleville, MI; brothers, John Dale Klanke of Flora, Albert Michael (wife Connie) Klanke of Louisville; sisters, Sandra Cook, Debbie Kelley, Vicki Sue Klanke and Stacey Klanke all of Flora; former wife Helen Spencer Klanke of Belleville, MI; and very good friend and dance partner, Beverly Gibson of Louisville.

He was preceded in death by his mother Lena Marie Klanke.