Obituary of Theobald 'Ted' Kluge

Ted, the bricklayer, avid gardener and host of “The Corn Roast”, died peacefully, at University Hospital, London, on Saturday, July 4th, 2015. Born in 1928 to German settlers in Poland, Ted was forced to join the German army at age 16, subsequently losing 5 years of his life as a prisoner of war in a Russian labour camp. He sought freedom from his past by immigrating to Canada at age 25 and married Cecilia Libal, a German emigrant with an equally painful war experience, in 1955. Saved by the grace of God, Ted was truly set free in 1969. In 1994, he buried Cecilia, whom he called “Cuda” (Polish for miracle) and in 1996, he remarried Opal Van Alstine. Ted is survived by Opal; by his children: Cornel (Rose), of Saskatoon, Helen (David) Overholt, of Hamilton, Andrew (Martina), of Valdivia, and Doris (Victor) Cherniak, of St. George. Will be missed by 7 grandchildren; by step-children: Sherry (Dave) Patterson, Brent Van Alstine, Harry (Linda) Van Alstine, Holly Jones, Mark (Kathy) Van Alstine and Clive (the late Eva) Van Alstine, and their families, from the Ottawa Valley area; and by 3 of his 6 siblings. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., as well as one hour prior to the service, at the WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where the funeral will be conducted on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Ted are asked to consider The Salvation Army London Village, in appreciation of their dementia day program. His last battle won ---------------- Now with the Lord.