John was born in Cassville, Wisconsin on May 29, 1927, the son of John and Ruth (Finney) Klindt. On June 2, 1956, John married Shirley Anne Eaton in Milton, MA.

He served in the United States Navy as an office clerk in San Francisco. When WWII ended in 1945 he felt he had been “delivered” and received the “call” to the ministry.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at University of Wisconsin Madison and a Masters of Religious Education at Andover Newton Seminary in Massachusetts. He served as an American Baptist then as a United Church of Christ pastor until his retirement.

A few brief words here will not do justice to his life and ministry, but let it be known he was a stalwart advocate of equality, separation of church and state, religious freedom and social justice for all.

He is survived by his: devoted wife of 62 years, Shirley Klindt of Whitewater, WI; children John Jr. of Lake Villa Il., Paul of Lake Villa Il., Lauralee (George) Haefner of Rochester, NY; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Erma Klindt of Alhambra California; sister-in-law, Virginia Eaton (Wright) and brother-in-law, Joe Wright; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Doris Klindt (Moore) and brother-in-law Robert Moore.

A private memorial service will be held at Fairhaven Nov. 29.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fairhaven Senior Services and the Hospice team for their continuing care.