Kevin Bradtmueller

AUBURN — Kevin Bradtmueller, 63, passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at his home in rural Auburn.

Kevin was born June 20, 1955, in Fort Wayne. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

He married Michele “Missy” Mercier on March 1, 1996, in Paulding, Ohio.

Kevin worked at Phelps Dodge in Fort Wayne and Steel Dynamics in Columbia City, retiring in 2017 after more than 40 years of service.

Kevin loved life. He enjoyed car shows, traveling, his '55 BelAir and spending time with his family and friends. One of his sons commented he left big shoe prints that will be easy for them to follow.

Also surviving are his mother, Joanna Lacey of Fort Wayne; seven children and their spouses, David and Maggie Kleber of Stafford, Virginia, Eric Bradtmueller of Woodburn, Steve Kleber of Auburn, Jennifer and Justin Adkins of Fort Wayne, Richard Kleber of Great Lakes Naval Base, Illinois, Marc and Jackie Kleber of El Cajon, California, and Jon and Rhiannon Kleber of Decatur; 16 grandchildren; and two sisters and a brother-in-law, Karen Martin of New Haven, and Lisa and Jay Gruss of New Haven.

He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Elwin and Joan Bradtmueller, his stepfather, John Lacey and a brother Kim Bradtmueller.

Services will be 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Craig officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Air Force and American Legion Post 97 at the conclusion of the 7 p.m. service. Burial will take place at Marion National Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. prior to the service on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019.

Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice or to the family in care of Michele Bradtmueller.