Obituary of Leslie D. Kleffman

Leslie "Les" D. Kleffman, 65, of Belvidere, NJ and previously of Washington, NJ passed away on January 10, 2022 at Hackettstown Medical Center. Les was born on August 23, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Richard Kleffman and Elsie Kleffman (née Vetter). After graduating from Warren Woods High School in Warren, Michigan in 1974, Les attended Toccoa Falls College and later received his Master's degree from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. Les served as clergy with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Michigan, North Carolina, and Maryland before moving with his family to Washington, New Jersey in 1997. Les faithfully served the congregation there at Washington Alliance Church for ten years, and continued to serve the Washington and surrounding communities in many spiritual and relational capacities, often utilizing his booming tenor voice and beloved Yamaha acoustic guitar within the Warren County Special Services School District and beyond. In his free time, his forever familiar face could be found golfing at Apple Mountain and Harker Hollows, or fishing, reading Tom Clancy-esque novels, and completing DIY projects at home–usually while whistling an absent-minded hymn for all to hear. In addition to his mother Elsie, Les is survived by Jean, his wife of 39 years, and their children: Curtis Kleffman, Kristen Chiara (with her husband Carmello and their two sons Cameron and Theodore), and Kaitlyn Kleffman. He also leaves behind four siblings: Linda Wright, Bonnie Gouge, Karen Frasard, and Robert Kleffman. A memorial service will be held for Les on Saturday, March 26 at 12:00PM at The Chapel at Warren Valley, located at 384 NJ-57, Washington, NJ 07882. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Les's name to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.