David Kleis ’63

David John Kleis, 82, went to heaven on Maundy Thursday, March 28. Born on July 3rd, 1941 to Russell Kleis and Alice Marie Hyma Kleis, in Holland, Michigan.
From his grandmother, Jenny Marie, he learned to love the Bible.

After graduating from Hope College, earning a Master’s degree at the University of Michigan and studying at Brandeis University and the Breadloaf School of English, he entered the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1968.

Following his ordination into the ministry, he taught English at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and served a Congregational church in Linden, Massachusetts.

He returned to the University of Michigan to earn his doctorate in the spring of 1974, while serving at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Chelsea, Michigan, followed by Eau Claire Community United Church of Christ. Once back in Michigan, he also worked part time for Holland Rendering Works, a family business begun by his grandfather.

He was married to Diane Washburn Kleis and they had two children, David Russell Kleis (’69-’98) and Deborah Washburn Ardila. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Gabrielle Ardila and his nephew, Alvin James Hoeksema.

He was a published poet who said, “I write poetry because I want people to feel good about being alive, to feel that every second, every hour is a gift from God, and that they also can sing a song with their lives.”

He spent his final years in Colorado, with his daughter and her family. He arrived the day before Easter, 2020. While a resident of the Oberon House, he led a worship service on Sundays.