Edward Klempay 1930-2025

Edward was born Jan. 16, 1930, in Youngstown, the son of Andrew G. and Anastasia Diersing Klempay. He attended St. Matthias School and Ursuline High School, graduating in 1948. After working for a time in the family house-moving business, he served stateside during the Korean War, married Alice Stavich on Feb. 20, 1954 upon discharge, and settled in the Boardman-Canfield area to raise a family. Butch and Alice moved the family to the Chagrin Falls area in the 1970s for 20 years, owning homes in Tanglewood. A later return to a seasonal home in Canfield, as well as a final move to Southwest Florida, followed. Together, Butch and Alice enjoyed building and owning homes: We lived in 18 different family homes throughout Ohio and Florida. Our lives were filled with family, friends, travel, recreation, holidays and delicious food — Butch and Alice loved a gathering more than anything.

Butch was a loving husband, father and grandfather. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, he learned to fly as a teenager in a Piper Cub and Aeronca Chief, earned his instrument rating and owned Cessna 310s, flying his family, including pets, to Florida for vacations. He played high school football and never tired of watching a game. He was terrific with machines of all sorts (airplanes, boats, bulldozers), numbers and a sense of direction. Some of his antics are legend: He brought the horse into the house one Christmas Eve. He chewed on cigars, rather than smoking them, for decades, quitting cold at the age of 68 because he lost a bet.

Butch worked his entire life alongside family members — father, uncles, brothers, sons — with Klempay Brothers, Andrew Klempay & Sons Inc., and E. Masonry Inc. in various contracting, house-and building-moving and construction enterprises.

Amiable of personality and an enthusiastic conversationalist, Butch kept old friends and made new friends his entire life.

Edward is survived by daughters, Paula Klempay of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Lisa Klempay (Luc Descloitres) of Missoula, Montana; son, Steven Klempay (Robin Kiefer) of Auburn; four grandchildren, Denise (Jay Vincent), Andrew, Jack (Katherine Capuder) and Benjamin Klempay; and daughter-in-law, Marie Klempay. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas Klempay of Canfield.

Edward was preceded in death by wife, Alice Stavich Klempay; son, Edward A. Klempay; parents; and siblings, James, Andrew, Margaret Klempay DiBlasio, Eugene, Amelia and Raymond Klempay.

Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, in Calvary Cemetery, 248 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.

Family and friends may call noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Stonebridge Grille, 1497 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

The family is thankful for the hospice care Edward received in home and at Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Arrangements are handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes in Canfield. Condolences can be sent to Edward’s family by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com.

(special notice)