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Byford John Klein, 68

Mass of Christian Burial for Byford John Klein age 68 of Blair, Nebraska will be held Wednesday August 5, 2015, at 10:30AM at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Graveside services will be held at 11:30AM Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Steinauer, Nebraska. Visitation will be held Tuesday beginning at 3:00 PM with family receiving friends at 6:00PM and a vigil service at 7:00PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home. Mr. Klein died August 1, 2015, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Byford John Klein was born on December 28, 1946, to Raymond and Margaret (Conradt) Klein in Pawnee City, Nebraska and baptized at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Steinaur, Nebraska.

Byford attended grade school at Clear Creek country school and Saint Anthony in Steinauer. He graduated in 1965 from Table Rock High School in Table Rock, Nebraska. Byford then attended Kearney State College and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1971, with a Doctor of Optometry degree. He enlisted with the United States Air Force and served for two years as an Optometrist at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 1973, Byford started his Optometry practice in Blair, Nebraska and continued it for nearly 40 years until he retired due to illness. Byford was a member of the National Optometric Association and the Nebraska Optometric Association.

Byford enjoyed Husker athletics, traveling, hunting and visiting with family and friends. He recently enjoyed the 50th year reunion of his high school class.

Byford is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother Wayne of Lincoln, Nebraska and numerous cousins.

Memorials will be directed by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.campbellaman.com

Omaha World Herald 3 Aug 2015

Klein, Dr. Byford John Age 68 Blair, NE. Died August 1, 2015 in Omaha, NE. Byford is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother Wayne of Lincoln, NE, and numerous cousins. MASS Wednesday August 5, 2015 at 10:30am at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Graveside services will be held at 11:30am Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Steinauer, NE. VISITATION will be held Tuesday beginning at 3pm with family receiving friends at 6pm and a vigil at 7pm at the funeral home. CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME 444 S. 17th Blair, NE 402-426-2191 www.campbellaman.com

Funeral Leaflet:

In Loving Memory of Dr. Byford Klein

Born December 28, 1946; Entered Into Rest August 1, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 5, 2015, St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Blair, Nebraska

Father Mario Rapose was the celebrant for the funeral Mass. Lynn and Steve Sobota provided the music, with selections: "Be Not Afraid", "How Great Thou Art", "Prayer of St. Francis" and "Amazing Grace".

Pallbearers were: Tony LaMontia, Buddy Goodman, Dave Rue, Ryan Palmer, Melvin Rathjen, and Richard Cunningham.

Graveside services 11:30 AM Thursday, August 6, 2015, St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska

~~~ Obituary and leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflet on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska. ~~~

Note: veteran

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