Dennis R. Kleffel

Born in Winnebago, IL on October 22, 1946 to Elsie Bloomster Kleffel and George Kleffel. Graduated from Winnebago High School and was in the Marine Corp stationed in Okinawa, Japan from 1968 – 1971. Dennis was a machinist by trade and worked at numerous shops in the Rockford area. Married Judy Underwood Reed who passed away in 2012, and is survived by partner of 25 years Jackie Hickey. Survived by son William Michael Reed (Christi) of Rockford and daughter Kellie Reed of Platteville, WI, grandchildren Justin Reed, Kegan Reed and Raven Reed; brothers Roger Kleffel (Vi) and Charles Buzzy Bloomster (Inis); nieces Kathleen Kleffel Finis (PJ), Karen Kleffel Caplenor (Jerry) and Liz Pringey Guerrina (Mario). Also survived by his faithful dog Streeter and the Feline Fur Kids Fred Henderson, Paisley, Chum-lee, Roscoe and Swifty.

Predeceased by parents and sister Barbara Pringey.

Dennis was an avid NASCAR fan and was especially fond of Ricky Rudd and Tony Stewart. He always had the gift of gab and was known for his endless repertoire of jokes, even on his last day as he lay in the emergency room and in the ICU he was entertaining the nurses and doctors with stories and anecdotes prompting them to ask if he was always like this. He was a little rough on the outside preferring to be the eternal hippie and sometimes ranting like a true Marine, but was also a teddy bear on the inside to his family and friends. He had many great friends including Dave & Pam Corbett, Max and Becky Moore, Scott Johnson and numerous others who will miss his larger than life presence. He always wanted to have Ernest Hemingway’s epitaph on his gravestone that reads “Pardon me for not getting up” or Oscar Wilde’s epitaph “I told you I was sick”. Your memories will continue to make us smile Dennis, so as our friend Mitch used to say “Happy Trails to you until we meet again”.

A celebration of life gathering is planned immediately after the graveside service on Friday July 17th at the residence of David Corbett 2123 Hecker Ave. in Rockford, IL.

Graveside inurnment with Military Honors will be 2:00 p.m. Friday July 17, 2015 at Willwood Cemetery in Rockford. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.