Karl L. Klute, 77, of Hickory Street, Niles, died at 2:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the graveside, with Pastor Brian G. Hedges of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church.

There will be no visitation. A Flag Presentation and Taps will follow the service at the graveside by United States Navy Honor Guard.

He was born on Sept. 18, 1931, in Niles to Edward H. Klute and Edith I. Sittig Klute.
He lived in the same house all of his life and graduated from Niles High School.
He retired from Bendix in South Bend, Ind..

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the United States Navy. He enjoyed reading mysteries, listening to many styles of music and dancing.

Surviving family includes two sisters, Beatrice Matchus and Midland, Texas and Florence Russell of Clear Lake, Iowa and 11 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Martin Klute, who died in 1971.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles District Library.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.