RICHFIELD SPRINGS - John Kleis Sr., 81, of Dugan Road, formerly of New Paltz and Yonkers, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18, 2001, in Valley Health Services Inc., Herkimer. He was born July 5, 1920, in Yonkers, son of the late Jacob and Mary Soja Kleis. John was raised in Yonkers and was a graduate of Saunders Trade and Technical High School. On Feb. 17, 1942, he married Mildred Spreer in Armonk, a loving union of 54 years until her passing March 5, 1996. Mr. Kleis was a self-employed stone mason for most of his working life and worked for the Rivendall Winery, New Paltz, retiring in 1992. It was that year he and his wife Mildred moved to Richfield Springs coming from New Paltz. His hobby was raising Tippler pigeons and he belonged to various homing pigeon clubs throughout the area. Surviving him are two sons, John and his wife Cindy Kleis and Phillip Kleis, all of New Paltz; two daughters, Dev Tacy of Schoharie and Collette and her husband Arthur Karpowich of Richfield Springs; four grandchildren, Janine Alescio of Schoharie, Rob Place of Plano, Texas, Erica and Mark Kleis of New Paltz, and two great-grandchildren. Funeral service and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.