Julian "Joe" Kleiss

Julian “Joe” Frances Kleiss, 76, of LeClaire, passed away, August 30, 2025, at Mercy One-Genesis East Campus, Davenport.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Our Lady of the River Catholic Church in LeClaire. His family will greet friends from 10:00 am until the Mass at 11:00 am at church. Burial will take place on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Rock Island National Cemetery. If you wish to join, please be at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home by 12:30pm on Friday. Memorials may be made to the family for a college fund for his grandchildren.

Julian was born on September 6, 1948, in Tuscola, Illinois, the son of Julian and Veronica “Louise” (Finn) Kleiss. He was united in marriage to Suzanne (Sue) Laffey on November 15, 1975.

Joe worked as a project manager for the Rock Island Arsenal, where he retired in 2013 and was still consulting. He was also a den leader and an assistant Cub Master for Boy Scouts for 8 years. He was a fourth-degree knight, a charter member of Men of the River and very active in CEW.

He was a hard worker and was always keeping himself busy. Joe was outdoorsy and enjoyed fishing, especially fly fishing, walking and kayaking. He was very proud of his daughter and grandsons. Above all, he loved his grandchildren and being a grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Sue; daughter, Rachel Kleiss; grandchildren, Julian, Landon, Mason, and Avery; siblings Jane Murray Dumm, Bill Kleiss, and Rob Kleiss; brothers-in-law, Pat Laffey and Mike Laffey; sister-in-law, Mary Burnett.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Becky.