Richard Klancer

Richard Klancer, 81, of Chicago, passed away peacefully on March 25 of this year at Brookdale Assisted Living, Burr Ridge, IL where he had resided during a brief illness. Known to close friends and relatives as Richie or Dick, he was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Victor and Frances (Cigale) Klancer. He was preceded in death by his beloved partner of many years, Nicholas Murphy of Joliet, IL. The youngest of four children, he saw the passing of his parents and siblings: Ludmilla (George) Acker of Sheboygan, WI; Victor (Phyllis) Klancer of South Holland, IL; and Melvin (Janet ) Klancer also of Sheboygan, WI.
Uncle Richie is fondly remembered by nieces and nephews: Sister Georgia Acker, Timothy Acker, Deborah Acker, Victor (Kimberlee) Klancer, Patricia (Mitzi) Klancer, Susan Hart, Katherine (Michael) Armstrong, Laureen (Stephen) Cook and Thomas (late Nancy) Klancer. He will also be remembered by numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Richard graduated from Sheboygan South High School, and subsequently served in the U.S. Navy until 1960. Stationed at both the Great Lakes Naval Center, north of Chicago, as well as in Japan, he became an enthusiastic student of Japanese culture. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, Richard worked in the Evanston office of Rotary International for four years. He then returned to his hometown of Sheboygan where he was a partner for a brief period in the M&M Floral Shop. Chicago called him back, however, and in 1968 he began work at the Oak Park Federal Savings & Loan, later the Great American Federal Savings & Loan. He retired from that institution having risen to the position of Vice President and after serving as Personnel Manager for many years.
Richard participated actively in his community and was on the Village Board of Oak Park. He was an avid bridge player, enjoyed travel, did needlepoint, and frequently made his Mother's Potica recipe. Over the years Richard and his partner Nicholas Murphy resided in various communities in the Chicago suburbs. Richard's last home was a condo near Lincoln Park in Chicago.
The family is planning a Mass of Christian Burial to be held on July 28, 2018, in Richard's home parish: St. Cyril and Methodius Church, 822 New Jersey Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081. Visitation at St Cyril's Church will begin at 12:00 pm and continue until the funeral begins at 1:00 pm. After the service, participants will proceed to the church's Greendale Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his parents.
Arrangements were entrusted to Ballhorn Chapels Funeral Home and Cremation Care Center, Sheboygan, WI. For information, please visit www.ballhornchapels.com or call (920) 457-4455.