Albert Joseph Klein

Albert J. Klein, 92 of Arlington Heights, IL was born July 16, 1932 in Blue Island to the late Albert and Mary (Bonaguro) Klein and passed away on April 23, 2025. Albert was the beloved husband to the late Jane F. Klein; loving father to Stephen (Galen) Klein, Karen (Joseph) Zimmer, Daniel (Marianne) Klein, Charles Klein, David (Lori) Klein, Kenneth (Susanne) Klein, Virginia Klein Glavan, James (Christopher Fork) Klein, Jeffrey Klein, Gregory (Scruffy) Klein, Albert Klein, and Mary (Marc) Spiwak; cherished grandfather to Brad, Amber, Stacia, Kiersten, Lindsay, Caitlan, Joey, Steve, Merle, Courtney, Brandon, J.T., Janey, Natalie, Cheyenne, Jack, Ben, Julia, Will, Cara, Sammy, Alexander, Cody, Jim, Mary, Jake, and Zoey; fond great-grandfather to Sophia, Cora, Josie, Scarlette, Axel, Pierce, Roo, and Tessa.

Albert, a devoted husband of 70 years to Jane and father of 12, dedicated his life to his catholic faith and service to others in his family and the community.

Growing up in Blue Island, he worked as a paper boy during his younger years to save money for college and went on to attend St. Rita High School where he lettered in Football, Basketball, Track and Field and played trumpet in the Marching Band.

After attending Thorton Junior College, Albert went on to the University of Illinois, proudly graduating in 1955. He carried his love and passion for the U of I thoughout his life, up to his final days, attending U of I games, watching every football and basketball game, and driving his prized Orange Charger to show his undying spirit.

After college, Albert was hired by the American Can Co. where he worked for 40+ years becoming a very accomplished Metallurgical Engineer and receiving several US patents for his engineering innovations. He loved his work with great passion and always had many stories to tell about his Lab and his many technical inventions.

As a father, Albert’s family was his life’s focus in raising 12 children (9 boys and 3 girls) and building a life for himself and Jane at 1003 N. Kennicott, in Arlington Heights. He spent many years improving the house by building a new 2 car garage and a 2 story room addition for the house, becoming a self-taught and very skilled brick layer. The house ended up having a total 7 bedrooms after the expansion was complete. He thoroughly enjoyed the engineering and construction challenges of these projects and working with his kids to complete the work. He also engineered and constructed an aluminum fold down travel trailer from scratch and spent many summers camping with Jane and the kids.

Albert’s life of service began after college after being drafted into the military (US Army) where he was stationed for 2 years in Germany. Jane and his oldest son Stephen moved their with Albert and their daughter Karen was born in Germany during his assignment.

Coming back to the states, Albert became a very active member of the Knights of Columbus in Arlington Heights, and co-led the effort to purchase the Knights of Columbus hall on Hickory Avenue in 1965. He went on to serve as the Grand Knight in 1965 to 1966. Jane and Albert were very active in the council social and funding raising events and he dedicated his work to organizing many Respect Life fund raising events for the Knights. Albert also served in the Knight of Columbus Seton Assembly’s 4th Degree order in the top spot as the Faithful Navigator during the early 1980’s.

Albert also had a long and dedicated life of service in the Boy Scouts, serving on several committees and eventually leading Troop 166 as the Scout Master for many years. He also served as a Scout Leader during Summer Camps in Napowan, Wisconsin, and took on the role of counselor for Canoeing merit badge to help certify the scouts for Canoe trips to the boundary waters in Canada.

His life of 92 years will be remembered as a beacon of faith, leadership and inspiration to his entire family, friends and the community he served. He will be greatly missed by the many souls whose lives he touched.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 28, 2025 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road. Arlington Heights, IL 60004. We will be meeting at St. James Catholic Church, 820 N. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights, IL on Tuesday, April 29th for a visitation from 9:00 AM until start of mass at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to St. James Respect Life or to the Knights of Columbus Pro-Life organizations.