Mildred Louise Klayman

She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Ivan Jeffrey Klayman, sister Betty Beaver (Ralph) and Pauline Williams (Jimmy).

Mildred (“Millie”) was born on October 5, 1931 in Miami, Florida. After high school, she worked briefly at a local movie theater where she would meet her future husband, Ivan Klayman. The two were married on March 23, 1951. They went on to have three (3) children: Irene Voss (Robert) of Hilliard, Ohio, John Klayman (Beth) of Westlake, Ohio and Don Klayman (Lori) of Hoschton, Georgia. Also surviving are seven (7) grandchildren: Brent Voss (Kim), Neil Voss (Sarah), Joel Voss, Carrie Singler (Jeff), Erin Fon (Diallo), Keenan Klayman (Sarah), Philip Klayman (Anna). Millie also had fifteen great grandchildren.

After Ivan completed his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, the couple moved briefly back to Ivan’s home state of New Jersey before moving to Findlay, Ohio where Ivan was a pilot for Marathon Oil. The couple eventually settled in Columbus, Ohio where they spent the rest of their years together.

Millie took an immediate interest in aviation and eventually received her private pilot license. She went on to join the International Organization of Women Pilots, The Ninety-Nines. In the mid-1960’s, Millie participated in several Angel Derby’s and the Jacqueline Cochran All-Woman Transcontinental Races which was dubbed the “Powder Puff Derby” by humorist and aviation advocate, Will Rogers.

Millie and Ivan also took a keen interest in the miniature schnauzer breed and dedicated much of their spare time to breeding, grooming and showing dogs. They had several schnauzers that were champions and became increasingly involved in the local miniature schnauzer club. Their passion for the breed eventually led them to participate in a program at The Ohio State University School to attempt to eradicate a hereditary eye disease that threatened the entire breed.

Millie eventually went to work for the Defense Construction Supply Center in Columbus, from which she retired in 2000.