Marie M Kleek

Marie Marion (Elefante) Kleek, Age 97 passed away peacefully on March 2, 2025 at Traditions of Beavercreek with her family by her side. She was born on September 14, 1927 in Utica, NY to the late Marion T. (Kawa) Elefante and Michael L. Elefante.

Marie graduated from Proctor High School in 1946 in east Utica. She married John Anthony Kleek also from Utica on July 22, 1950. They were married for 49 years before he passed on January 22, 1999. Marie and John had 5 children (3 daughters and 2 sons) from 1953 to 1960. In 1964 the family moved to Beavercreek, OH to raise their 5 children. They moved when her husband and many other families were transferred from Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.

Marie was a faithful member of St Luke Catholic Church in Beavercreek. She worked at Nutra Foods in Dayton for nearly 30 years before finally retiring at age 81. She also volunteered her time at Shaw Elementary and then at Carroll High School where her children attended. Marie loved her family more than anything. She loved spending time with her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Marie was preceded in death by her two brothers Louis (Diana) Elefante of New Hartford, NY and Bennie (Kathy Eichinger) Elefante of New Smyrna Beach, FL.

She is survived by her 5 children Valerie (Jerry) Weisbecker, Elaine (Larry) Myers, Lorraine (Don) Beall, John J. (Terry) Kleek, and Andrew Kleek. Marie had 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her 11 grandchildren include John Kleek, Jr, Sarah (Patrick) Hankey, Jessica Myers, Paul (Lindsey) Weisbecker, Aaron (Alyson) Myers, Bryan (Erica) Kleek, Christine (Jessie) Holt, Drew (Mirella) Kleek, Megan (Jake) Thiel, Marie (Josh) Cooper, and Anthony Kleek.

She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren who call her “Babcia” which she loved. They include Christian Kleek, Alayna Caudill, Alex Caudill, Maddox Myers, William Weisbecker, Avarey Myers, Penelope Holt, Cora Hankey, Samuel Weisbecker, Maxwell Hankey, Grace Hankey, Matthew Weisbecker, Sophia Holt, Lauren Weisbecker, and Tobias Thiel.

She also leaves behind her loving sisters-in-law Diana Elefante and Kathy Eichinger in addition to her half-brother Mike Elefante and half-sister Debi Crowley plus many nieces and nephews from upstate New York and the Charlotte area of North Carolina.

Marie is well known for her multiple one liners and pictures of family and friends covering her refrigerator. She was especially proud of her Italian and Polish heritage which she loved to share. Recipes for homemade spaghetti sauce, baked lasagna, perogies, and Polish and Italian cookies have been passed on to her children for years to come. She also loved to dance at many of her grandchildren’s weddings. She was very generous, kind, and demonstrated remarkable patience and forgiveness. Marie will undoubtedly be missed by her family and there will be comfort knowing that she’ll be reunited with her husband and her many relatives and friends.

A visitation for Marie will be held Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio. A mass of christian burial will occur Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St Luke Catholic Church, 1440 N Fairfield Rd, Beavercreek, Ohio 45432. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Marie's memory to the Hospice of Dayton.

Marie will be laid to rest in Valley View Memorial Gardens, 170 N Valley Rd, Xenia, Ohio 45385-9301.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be Livestreamed, and can be accessed at saintlukeparish.org