John Kleine
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John Gregory Kleine, 21, Prairie Village, KS passed away. Visitation will be held 5-7 PM, Thursday May 3rd, 2007 at St Ann’s Catholic Church, 7241 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Funeral mass will be held 10 AM, Friday, May 4th, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Miege Athletic Fund, 5041 Reinhardt Dr, Shawnee Mission, KS 66205. John was born March 5, 1986 in Kansas City, MO. He graduated from Bishop Miege High School, attended St. Ann’s grade school, and was a Junior at KU. John played and loved Bishop Meige Football. He is survived by: mother & father, Bill & Maggie Kleine, Prarie Village, KS; sisters & brothers, Sarah, Rachel, & Kevin Kleine; grandparents, Jim & Elizabeth Hendricks; and many loving family members.
Out of all the memories that I have with John it’s hard to pick just one. We could look at each other and knew what the other was thinking. Everytime we looked at each other we’d smile cause we knew that when we were together that was our happiest moment, just being together. I would go over to Johns house and watch movies that I’d never seen before. Everytime we’d sit to watch the movie John and Tony would just quote the movie word for word. It would drive me nuts. Every movie I wanted to see he had already seen it. He’d say. “I think I’ve already seen this one.” Sure enough halfway through the movie he’d start quoting the lines. But as soon as you both are sitting down watching a movie that neither one of you has seen NO, not a sole on earth could talk. He’d say “This is not commercial time.” Oh how he made me laugh. We have stats class together. Actually he took it knowning which one I’d be in just to have a class with me. He’d sit next to me and we would do the Sudoku together. No acutally Id tell him to put the numbers some where and he’d say are you sure and i’d say ya. Then i’d be wrong. LOL He would hide the crossword and sudoku from me most of the time. I’d try to peek at it and he’d smile and say stop it. Oh the class time and movies will never be the same. Every time we’d go to dinner he could never decide what he wants. We could drive around all night and sure enough it would always be Sonic. That was our dinner spot. Sonic. I am the most clumsiest person I know. We’d be walkin somewhere and I’d trip for no reason. He’d say “need a walker”. He is my love and my world. He is someone that will stay with me for always. He taught me about myself and how to love others full heartedly. He was my first love. I love you foreve and always. Love Jessica
John Kleine 351986 – 4302007
Most people who knew John never knew that he had struggled with depression since his adolescence. Professionals told us that the hormonal imbalances of adolescence had probably triggered the chemical imbalances in his brain, and as he grew up it should get better. Fortunately, there have been great strides made in developing medications that can battle the depression with very few side effects. And so John had some very good years through the use of anti depressants.
John showed only his good side to the world. He loved to entertain people with his quick wit, impressions, and jokes. He loved to hang out with friends. And John especially loved sports. He played them, he watched them on TV, and he read about them in Sports Illustrated. He organized a CYO basketball team at Bishop Miege, and they played all four years. John worked really hard at playing high school football and was extremely proud of being a starter his senior year. His varsity letter jacket still hangs in his closet.
But John also hated the idea of having a weakness that required the use of medication. And so after his freshman year at KU his doctor took him off the medication, and he did pretty well for a while. But ultimately, the depression returned and his strong will was not enough to battle it. He refused to stay on medication, and in his despair he ended his life.
John is with God now, and is at peace. And we try to find some small comfort in knowing that. We will always miss him. It is our fervent prayer that the stigma that society attaches to mental illness will someday disappear, being replaced by compassion and understanding. Science and medicine will continue to study the workings of the brain, and will continue to develop new and better treatments. And when mental illness is considered to be a medical condition like any other disease, those who suffer from it will be able to receive treatment and help without shame.
We truly thank all of you for the overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers and support that we have received.