Obituaries week of Dec. 15
Linda Gail Johns
Tupelo, Miss. (formerly of Hartselle)
Funeral service for Linda Gail Johns, 78, was held Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.
Mrs. Johns died Dec. 7 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss. She was born June 28, 1943, in Morgan County to Elton Howell and Irene Walker Howell.
Gail loved her Lord and her family above all. She truly lived to serve others. Strong in her faith, Gail spent her life teaching others about Jesus Christ. Very creative, she was known for directing amazing church children’s choirs and programs. She had a puppet ministry that was sought-after for both children and senior groups. The seniors particularly loved her often hilarious scripts.
From a young age, Gail loved music. She played the saxophone and piano and later sang with her beloved husband in the gospel group His Voice.
Her love of and skill in cooking were legendary, and she shared it with many.
Growing up in Hartselle and living throughout the South during her life, she was the quintessential Southern lady, always making sure those around her felt comfortable, appreciated and loved.
In Hartselle, Gail was a member of Tunsel Road Baptist Church.
Married to the love of her life for 60 years, she was an amazing wife. Pouring her life into the lives of her children, she was a wonderful mother. She was also a beloved sister and friend. She was blessed.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Wallace Delorian Johns, Tupelo, Miss.; daughter, Tina Johns Benkiser (Eric), Signal Mountain, TN, son Delorian Brent Johns
(Penny Lee), Fulton, Miss.; brother, James Edward Howell, Hartselle; a host of nieces and nephews; and her beloved Pomeranian, Della Clara.
Pallbearers were son-in-law Eric Benkiser, nephews Chris Bennett and Paul Glassco and beloved friends Scott Hodges, Randy Thomason and Elvie Vest.
Joseph “Joe” Francis Andrew Kleri
Trinity
Funeral service for Joseph “Joe” Francis Andrew Kleri, 78, was held Thursday,
December 16, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral
Home directing. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation was
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home.
Mr. Kleri died on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Huntsville Hospital. He
was born December 18, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph Frank and
Rosemary Magda Kleri. Mr. Kleri was employed by TRIS U.S.A., as a Quality
Control Engineer, prior to his retirement. He was a member of the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxillary, a member of the Trinity Fire Department and EMS, a member
of the Red Cross, the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Shoals British
Car Club. He also loved sailing. He was a wonderful husband, father and
grandfather.
Survivors include wife, Debra Kleri, Trinity, AL; son, Joe Kleri (Betty), Mansfield, OH;
daughters, Jacqueline Moore (Brian), Mansfield, OH, Jill Tuttle, Mansfield, OH,
Jennifer Hunter (Eric), Mansfield, OH, Heather Brown, Trinity, AL, Melony Novalis (James), Athens, AL, and Michelle Smitherman (Danny), Hartselle, AL; sisters, Rose Marie Williams, Galveston, TX
and Judy Wiseman (Richard), Columbus, OH; fifteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Danny Smitherman, Mark Bammann, James Novalis, Eric
Hunter, Ryan Curtis and Joe Kleri.
