Kleibers to lead 2008 Spring Fling parade

by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor

John and Rita Kleiber, pillars of the Hawks community for a half-century, will be honored as grand marshals in Sunday?s Spring Fling parade. For many years the couple was part of a driven group of people trying to make the Village of Hawks and the surrounding area a better place to live in, and most of their service to the community was done behind the scenes. This year, they?ll be the center-of-attention during the three-day weekend celebration.

It only seems fitting, since the West Metz Highway residents have been part of the community all of their adult lives. They were married in St. Dominic Catholic Church , raised a family, ran a business and continued to stay active in the community they care so much about.

THE HONOR IS being bestowed in the months leading up to their official golden wedding anniversary in November. And to think Rita was just about ready to give up on John. The two knew each other because their parents and siblings were friends. Rita was a senior at Rogers City High School with John?s sister, Yvonne, and John would hang out with Rita?s brother, Joe. Both were at a wedding and Rita wanted her friends to ask John if he would be kind enough to drive her home that night. Rita said she liked him, but this would be his last opportunity she would give him, because the message just didn?t seem to be hitting home. John drove her home that night and the two hit it off. In the more than 50 years since that ?ice-breaker? moment, Rita says ?love? keeps their relationship strong, although John has another theory. ?She won?t let me go.? After a loud spontaneous laugh from both of them, he followed up with, ?No, we get along good.? The Kleibers will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary November 22. ?There were probably a few that were not giving us a chance, but we proved them wrong,? said Rita. Rita has been a lifelong resident. She was born in the house south of the Hawks Post Office building. Their daughter Ann Szczerowski and her family live there now.

JOHN?S PARENTS were originally from Hawks, moved to Flint, before returning to the area. He had already graduated from high school when they ventured northward again. After the couple was married they rented places in Rogers City, before building the house they are currently living in 47 years ago. Kleiber was a carpenter for many years and started his own business, Kleiber Builders, in 1986. He retired in 2005. John has been the Bismarck Township supervisor for 36 years and also has been the assessor. One of the main reasons they are being honored is their work for the community. They were involved with the establishment of the Hawks Community Improvement Association (CIA) prior to the centennial celebration in 1996. The group later incorporated and continued to spruce up the village. One of the notable accomplishments was the establishment of Veteran?s Park adjacent to Toby?s Market.

THE KLEIBERS ALSO were involved in a massive fundraising effort every year for Special Olympics, as the community would give larger and larger checks to the Wertz Warriors. The CIA is known through the county f

or their creative and humorous floats, which have made appearances in parades in Onaway, Posen and Rogers City. John provided some of his carpentry skills to help build quality floats, and one year played the role of Honest Abe Lincoln. As time went on, it was time to hand the reins over to run the events and organizations. After a year off the parade is back up and running this year, and some of the people involved in bringing a full slate of activities have deep roots in the Hawks area. They happened to be John and Rita?s children. Michael Kleiber is CIA president, while Ann Szczerowski is the board?s secretary.

?They got together and decided it was time for another parade,? said Rita. ?Last year it was put aside because of a lack of interest.? Often unnoticed, and unrecognized, which is usually the way people like the Kleibers like it, the honor of grand marshals is one way to bring recognition to deserving citizens. The Kleibers definitely fit in that category.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.