66, Oblong, Illinois
VISITATION: 4~7 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2014 at Highland Avenue Baptist Church, 400 East Highland Ave., Robinson, IL 62454.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Highland Avenue Baptist Church, 400 East Highland Ave., Robinson, IL. with Pastors Dwight McDaniel and Phil Boyd officiating. Burial will follow in the Oblong Cemetery, Oblong, Illinois.
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY: May take the form of a contribution to the Crawford County Humane Society or Avant Ministries with envelopes at the church or may be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home, PO Box 121, Oblong, IL 62449.
Ronald Allen Klaus, 66, Oblong, IL died at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN.
Born January 7, 1948, in Moline, IL, he was the son of Urban and Bernice Klaus. He married Sandra Low on February 14, 1970 and she survives. Ron earned a Master of Arts from Webster University in St. Louis (1980), and a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO (1988).
Prior to entering the ministry in 1986, Ron was a patrolman in Ferguson, Jennings, and Hazelwood, MO. He served the city of Edmonton as chief of police for a year.
While attending seminary, Ron was ordained by Lone Star Baptist Church in Bethany, MO in 1987 where he pastored. Following graduation, he was called to First Baptist Church in Oblong, IL where he ministered 13 years. He later served as pastor at Jackson Township Baptist Church in Effingham for three years. He was a member of Highland Avenue Baptist Church, where he continued his ministry by teaching senior adults in Sunday School.
Ron will be remembered by many for the love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, for his sense of humor and for his “refusal to pay retail!”
Preceding him in death were his father, Urban Klaus, his stepbrother Ed Klaus and stepsister, Betty Coleman.
Survivors include his mother, Bernice Klaus, Robinson, IL; his sister, Karen (and Russell) Bennett, two nephews and one niece: Robb (and Crystal) Bennett, John (and Katie) Bennett, Brett (and Jason) Spore, four great-nieces, Ella, Alexa, Rebecca, Moriah and great nephew Isaac, all of Seattle, WA.
Ron and his wife have hosted nine foreign exchange students: Olena (Ukraine), Anel (Kazakhstan), Kamilla (Kyrgystan), Natalia (Russia), Bruno (Brazil), Julie (Brazil), Laura (Uzbekistan), Ira (Ukraine), Louisa or Lulu (Germany). Each student contributed to the richness of his life. Anel has returned and now lives in Belleville, IL with her husband Andrew Tessman. God has given Ron and Sandy not only a “daughter” in Anel, but also a wonderful “son-in-law” and two beautiful “grandchildren”, Jordan and Geneva.
Condolences and memories to the family at www.oblongfuneralhome.com.
