Paul W. Kleiss, 87, of Tuscola, IL, passed away surrounded by loved ones at 12:40 a.m., Sunday, May 1, 2016 at the Tuscola Health Care Center, Tuscola, IL

Paul was born on December 23, 1928 in rural Tuscola, IL, the son of Anthony and Margaret Reinhart Kleiss. He married the love of his life, Phyllis J. Patterson on August 23, 1948 in Villa Grove, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are his daughters: Pamela (Clark) Sprague and Kathleen (Gary) Campbell both of Tuscola, 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law: Carolyn Kleiss of Tuscola, son-in-law: Todd Black of Tuscola, brother: Floyd (Mary) Kleiss of Tuscola and sister: Agnes Cler of Villa Grove.

Paul was preceded in death by his son: Barry Kleiss, daughter: Judy Black, sisters: Imogene Deedrich, Corene Hettinger and Irma Miller.

Paul was a retired farmer and he also retired from the Assembly Hall in Champaign, where he worked as a maintenance man for many years.

He was a member of the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Paul and his wife Phyllis loved spending their winters in Florida for the past 25 years. He loved his children and all his family very much. Paul never met a stranger and with his gentle spirit and sense of humor he was loved by all who knew him.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 at the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, 201 East Van Allen Street, Tuscola, IL with Father Angel Sierra as celebrant. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2016 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL. Burial will be in the Tuscola Township Cemetery, Tuscola, IL.

Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com