Kenneth E. Kleine

Kenneth E. Kleine, 79, of New Carlisle, Indiana passed away at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026, in his home. Kenneth was born on January 18, 1947 in South Bend, Indiana to Clark Kleine, Jr. and Esther (Herd) Kleine.  He was a lifelong farmer and owned Kleine Farms in New Carlisle, Indiana.  On October 21, 2000, in New Carlisle, he married Sandra J. (Jesswein/Zell), who survives.  Kenneth is also survived by his children, Julie (Glen) Weinberg of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Jeffery (Melissa Sojka) Kleine of New Carlisle, Indiana, Kim (Greg) Kneubuhler of Harlan, Indiana, Justin (Kari) Zell of New Carlisle, Indiana and Aaron (Erica) Zell of Woodburn, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Rochelle, Isaac, Taylor, Brooke, Caleb, Bryce, Bridgette and Bailey; and his sister, Arlene Kaminski of Danville, Indiana.  Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Esther (Herd) Kleine.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. EST Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana.  Burial will follow in Hamilton Cemetery. A visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. EST until 7:00 p.m. EST Tuesday, June 30, 2026 and from 9:30 a.m. EST until 10:15 a.m. EST Wednesday in the funeral home.   Farming was Kenneth's passion.  He grew Pioneer Seed Corn for 43 years.  He was a leader for the St. Joseph County 4-H Sheep Club.  Kenneth served in the United States Army Reserve and was a member of the American Legion Post #297. He enjoyed snowmobiling especially his trip to Yellowstone.  Kenneth loved going to his grandchildren’s sporting events. He also loved telling stories about his younger years, farming, snowmobiling, and the Army Reserves.  Memorial Contributions should be directed the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545 or the St. Joseph County Sheep Club, 33355 Chicago Trail, New Carlisle, Indiana 46552.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth E. Kleine, please visit our floral store.