Archie Kliewer

Archie Henry Kliewer, age 101, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 1, 2023. Archie was born July 31, 1922 in Frazer, Montana to the late Cornelius and Marie (Boese) Kliewer. He was also preceded in death by brothers Alvin Kliewer and Otto Kliewer, and their wives Elizabeth (Alvin) Kliewer and Ulah (Otto) Kliewer, and a grandson, Timothy Kliewer. Archie was a veteran of the Army Air Corp, having served during WWII in the Pacific Theater. He served as gunner on a Northrup P-61 Nighthawk Black Widow fighter. After his service in the Armed Forces he went to work on the construction of Fort Peck Dam in Montana. He then attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. While there he participated in a quartet, singing the bass part. He needed an accompanist and sought a freshman, LeDora Deckert, who ended up becoming his life-long accompanist. He then attended Bethel College and received his bachelor degree in Education. He taught in Montana, Kansas, and then Northern Michigan, at which time he attended Central Michigan for his Master’s degree. In the small town of Atlanta, he and LeDora started the Atlanta Bible Church. After 15 years in northern Michigan and the graduation of three of their boys from Atlanta High, they moved to Coldwater in the southern part of Michigan. It is there over the next 15 years that he served as Pastor at two different congregations and was involved in the launching of two different Christian schools as well. The graduation of their youngest two happened in Coldwater. He and LeDora were then led to serve as Pastor at the Cortez Bible Church in Cortez, Colorado before he retired in 1990. His heart for sharing the good news to the ends of the earth was an important part of his life to the very end. Archie is survived by his wife of 75 years, LeDora; their sons, Ronald Kliewer, Michael (Paula) Kliewer, Stanley (Karen) Kliewer, Gregory Kliewer, and Douglas Kliewer, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is also survived by a brother, John (Opal) Kliewer, and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Because of Archie’s heart for missions, memorials may be made to the Grandville Bible Church Mission Group to support the needs of those serving to share the good news around the world. www.heritagelifestory.com