Joan Arlene Kleckler

Joan Arlene Kleckler (Hughes) was born in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania on March 28, 1940 to Maurice and Betty (Jennings) Hughes. Her early childhood was spent in Pennsylvania and her adolescence in Long Island, New York. During her school years, she would spend her summers with the Hughes family, where she became very close to that side of her family and remained that way. After World War II, her family purchased a home in West Islip, New York.

Joan was part of the first graduating class (1958) of the new high school in West Islip. She was a social butterfly! She loved to dance, play volleyball and basketball, was outstanding in field hockey, wrote for the school newspaper and acted in plays.After graduation, she took a job at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She spoke fondly of those days driving her Mercury and taking buses and the subway into New York City.

Joan was married in 1960 to William Schaefer, and to this union Betty Ann and Billy Schaefer were born. They made their home on Long Island until 1966, when the marriage dissolved and Joan and her children moved to upstate New York. During those years, Joan was a hairdresser in Hammondsport and worked at her parents’ restaurant on Waneta Lake, The Waneta Inn.

While waitressing at the Waneta Inn, Joan met the love of her life William “Bill” Kleckler. They married in 1970 and made their home in Dundee, New York. To this union Kevin Kleckler was born. Joan continued to cut hair, work at Belle’s Dress Shop in Dundee, and waitress. Joan was deeply involved with the Dundee Fire Fighters’ Auxiliary and the Order of the Eastern Star. Joan and Bill could often be found at Joan’s parents’ restaurant dancing the night away! They worshiped God at the Methodist Church in Dundee and made sure their children did also.

In 1978, Joan and Bill decided to pursue employment 2,000 miles from home in Craig, Colorado. This was a bit of a culture shock for the Kleckler family. Two days after arriving in Craig, Joan was employed at Moffat County Schools and started her career at Breeze School. She worked at Craig Middle School, and completed her 30 year career as a health technician at Ridgeview Elementary. Joan was active in the Craig Congregational Church for more than 20 years. She also was deeply involved with the Theta Mu Sorority (a philanthropic sorority), where she served as president twice, and she was also involved briefly with the Red Hats. Joan’s favorite pastimes were attending athletic events, and camping with Bill and Kevin. Joan fell in love with the Craig community and considered it her home.

After retirement, Joan and Bill moved to Hayden to live next door to Kevin and his family. She loved being so close to her grandchildren and was most proud of the deep connection she developed with Kevin’s family. Joan absolutely loved watching and admiring all her grandchildren’s (and great-grandchildren’s) activities and sports. Joan’s grandchildren were fortunate to have her as their biggest fan, and to hear her cheering in the bleachers for them. Bill and Joan attended Mission of Grace church in Hayden and dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ by becoming “born again” and being re-baptized as adults.

Joan and Bill loved to travel. They went on 17 cruises all over the world, and they had a time share in Mexico for more than 15 years. Joan loved to camp, iron, vacuum, shop on QVC, collect knick-knacks, dishes, clothes, and jewelry. Every Sunday, Joan either hosted dinner at her home or was hosted by Kevin and Carrie.

Joan’s love for her husband was always obvious. They could often be seen together, hand in hand or arm in arm, at athletic events, at the grocery store, Walmart, or at a local restaurant. Her devotion, tenderness, and love was a true joy to see! She loved Bill deeply and doated on him. They were married for 55 years.

The legacy that Joan leaves is her unconditional love for her family, her example of motherhood, her joy and laughter during good times and bad, and a love and acceptance of Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her kindness, smile and sense of humor were infectious. She was so genuine, willing to be vulnerable with people, and loved like Jesus taught us to…forgiving and completely accepting of all. She was an angel here on Earth!

Joan was preceded in death by her father Maurice, mother Betty, husband William, brother in-law James Amato, brother and sister in-law Walt Jane Pickert (Kleckler), nephews Jimmy Pickert, Brian Pickert and Wayne Pickert. She is survived by her sister Judith Amato (Hughes), children Betty Ann Schaefer, William (Lisa) Schaefer, Kevin (Carrie) Kleckler, grandchildren Dustin Brown, Brandon Brown, Jason Steed, Alyssa Kurek, Kalynn Schaefer, Marcus Schaefer, Andrew Kleckler, Jenna Kleckler, Lewis Kleckler, Elise Arnold, Clayton Arnold, Mitchell Miesner, Michael Miesner, and 16 great-grandchildren.

A viewing for family and close friends will be held 4:30-6:30 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2026, at Grant Mortuary. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Craig Christian Church. A reception will be held immediately following. Joan will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Bill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joan Kleckler Scholarship Fund in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Avenue, Craig, Colorado 81625.