Donald Charles Kleppe

It with deep sorrow that we must announce the sudden passing of Don Kleppe on July 16, 2024. He is survived by his mother, Carrol Kleppe, his sister, Diana Parnum, of Indianapolis, IN and his wife and children, Karen, Ty, and Alex Kleppe of Huntington, WV, alongside a much larger group of extended family and friends too numerous to list.

Born and raised in Indiana, Don then moved to the countryside in West Virginia while attending college at Marshall University . It was in Huntington that he met the love of his life, Karen "Boo" Shirley. Over the next 38 years they built a life together, blessed with friends, family and a home filled with love.

Throughout his life Don was an active member in his community, through both his career with the City of Huntington as well as volunteer work. He was proud to be involved in making Huntington a member of Tree City USA and other beautification projects. He organized early Disc Golf Ice Bowl Tournaments to raise donations for local food banks. He volunteered for river clean ups, adopted highways and other clean up projects, and was a regular blood donor well into his 50s.

In his free time, Don loved spending time in the country and doing his part to maintain the surrounding woods as well as playing Disc golf on many courses scattered across the Tri-state area. But above all else, he was a family man. He led by quiet example, was quick to lend a helpful hand, a listening ear, or simply to be a strong and steady presence in support of his loved ones. This love was extended to his community of close friends, as he was a strong believer in both found family as well as related family.

A small memorial will be held in his honor at the Reger Funeral Home Family Center, located at 1225 Washington Avenue, on August 10, 2024 from 2:30 – 4:30. Please feel free to share with family and friends, any words or stories you would like as we remember Don together.  As an avid lover of nature and the outdoors, we ask that in lieu of flowers, please make  a donation to the eco-friendly charity of your choice or simply plant a tree, bush or anything green in his name.