Gilbert J. ‘Gil’ Klein, age 92, of O’Fallon, Ill., former longtime resident of Fairview Heights, born September 4, 1932 in Shiloh, Ill., died Friday, March 21, 2025 at Memorial Hospital Shiloh.
Gil graduated from O’Fallon Township High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War. In 1959, he began operating a TV repair shop out of his home in Shiloh before opening a television service and sales location in Fairview Heights. In the 1970s, he expanded into appliance sales and service as Gil Klein TV & Appliance, now with third generation Klein family members as part of the team. Gil was proud of his family business and enjoyed being part of the Fairview Heights community.
When away from work, he enjoyed fishing from their home at Carlyle Lake. In retirement, he kept himself busy building birdhouses, with proceeds from sales donated to area food pantries. Gil was a charter member of the Fairview Heights Rotary Club, participated in local Chamber of Commerce events, was a former Shriner and former alderman in Fairview Heights.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Klein and Isabelle, nee Klucker, Klein Lotz; sister Marleen (Wayne) Jung, brothers Darwin “Sonny” Klein, and James Klein.
Surviving are his wife Audrey, nee Klemme, Klein; children David (Karen Tiemann) Klein, Doug (Laura) Klein, Lynn (Scott) Iler, and Dawn (Ray) Meyer; grandchildren Kristin (James) Green, Erica (Craig) Stoviak, Brittany (Alyssa) Klein, Daryn (Cierra) Klein, Katie (Eric) Hendrickson, Kiersten (Chris) Ban, Amanda (Caleb) Piatt, Clayton (Kristin) Iler, Logan Iler, Emma (Mitchell) McCroskey, Audrey (fiancé Reid Conner) Meyer, Trey Meyer, and Joel Meyer; 19 great-grandchildren; brother Dwayn “Dewey” Klein and sister-in-law Delores Klein, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
Visitation: The family will receive friends 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O’Fallon, Ill. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2025 at O’Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O’Fallon.
Funeral: 11 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2025 at O’Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O’Fallon, Ill. with Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at O’Fallon City Cemetery.
