Life story Richard Alexander "Toogie" Klein, age 93, of Madison, Indiana passed away peacefully on July 31, 2020 at home surrounded by his family. The son of Charles Richard Klein and Huldah Florence Alexander Klein, he resided his entire life in Madison, graduating in the class of 1945 from Madison High School where he was a member of the Madison Cubs varsity basketball team for three years. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran serving overseas in occupied Japan. Upon returning home after honorably being discharged from the U.S. Army, he was employed by the Jefferson Proving Ground in the 1950's. When the Indiana Kentucky Electric Corporation (IKEC) broke ground for a new plant in Madison, he was hired as a plant security guard and as the plant was up and running, he transferred to the Maintenance Department for 12 years. He worked a short time helping his step-father, Edward Niesse, at Niesse's Radio and TV repair shop before accepting a position offered to him by the Honorable Mayor of Madison, Dr. Warren Rucker, as Madison Building Inspector and eventually retiring from the city as Madison Parks and Recreation Supervisor. He was the oldest member of Washington Fire Company #2 with over 62 years as a volunteer fireman. He was an avid fan for college sports usually rooting for the underdogs. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Wanda Deloris Tanksley Klein of Madison; his loving son: Tony and his wife Susan, a daughter: Carolyn of Milton, Kentucky, and grandsons: Dave of Madison and Matt of Milton. Two grandchildren he was especially proud of were grandson, Kristopher Kalb of Indianapolis, Indiana and granddaughter, Sandra Bastyr (Russell) of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Klein, his mother, Huldah Niesse and step-father Edward Niesse, and in 2013 he lost his precious daughter, Suzan Kay Klein. At his request a private ceremony and his interment of ashes will be held at a later date. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the charity of choice through Lytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service or below. The family thanks HOSPARUS for their loving care they provided with special acknowledgement to Amy Hughes and Tammy Wimpee. Lytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Vail Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Alexander Klein, please visit our floral store.
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