Caleb Kleinhenz

Caleb Lawrence Kleinhenz September 12, 1981 - March 28, 2011 Caleb Lawrence Kleinhenz, the oldest son of Larry and Annette Kleinhenz, was born September 12, 1981. He was the older brother of Megan, Evan, Orrin, Lauren, Luke, Hayden, Gwen, Brigham, Charly and Nora. His identity as the eldest brother was one that he cherished and held sacred. They gave him the love and support he needed, but he gave them a brother they could look up to. To them, he was their hero. As a young boy, he was the first to do everything. He set the standard in his family for excellence in education, as he disciplined himself earning recognition as an honor student with academic All-State status at Columbus North High School. He worked hard at home on his familys farm and demonstrated through his example that just getting up and getting it done, got the corn picked faster. He set the example, becoming the first Eagle Scout in his family the highest honor given a young man by the Boy Scouts of America. Each of his brothers has followed in his footsteps, earning their Eagle Scout Award as well, with Brigham waiting in the wings. His community service included acquiring large quantities of bulk food and repackaging it for Love Chapel, and serving on the local United Way Board as a student advisor. He was a willing and talented athlete, participating and excelling in every sport he played. As a senior, he earned the Prestige Printing Offensive Player of the Game in three games that season, ending his football career with an ACL tear in the last game against Martinsville. Looking forward toward wrestling with grit and determination, Caleb came back after 11 weeks of surgery to take his place on the wrestling mat, pinning his opponent, and securing Norths triumph in the sectional. He was recognized with the Larry Perkinson Mental Attitude Award given to wrestlers for outstanding effort, heart, and commitment, as well as going the extra mile as a player and a person, saying a lot about the man he would one day become. As a young man, Caleb was fascinated with the workings of the brain, and wanted to study it somehow in the future. After graduating in 2000 from CNHS, he attended Brigham Young University, studying science with the hope of one day becoming a Doctor of Psychiatry. After a year, he took leave to serve a much anticipated two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan, where he learned to speak Mandarin Chinese. He grew to love and respect the Taiwanese people. Upon his return, he attended Utah Valley University, then Indiana University, and then Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus as he had quietly begun a struggle with an illness that would eventually take his life. In 2003, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The challenge of learning, understanding and searching for ways to manage this illness, would take Caleb and his family down very difficult and untraveled roads. Caleb was imprisoned mentally, no longer able to express and communicate his tender feelings for his family and friends. This deeply saddened him in his lucid moments. However, Caleb did find a way to consistently express himself to those whom he loved so much - with his heartfelt bear hugs. On March 28, 2011, Caleb returned to live with our Heavenly Father. He is finally at peace and his mind is free of confusion and torment a clarity that he has not experienced for 9 years. He was preceded in death by his grandpa, Charles Kleinhenz. He is survived by his granny, Helen Marie Kleinhenz; his granddad, Joseph Edward Mickel; his grandmother, Jo Ann Mickel; his father, Lawrence Steven Kleinhenz; his mother, Annette Kay Kleinhenz, all of Columbus, Indiana, and ten siblings, Megan Payne (David), Evan (Molly), Orrin (Shannon), Lauren, Luke, Hayden, Gwen, Brigham, Charly and Nora; a nephew, Hank, with whom he shares his birthday; and niece, Rue, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who were very dear to him. Funeral Information CALLING: Friday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home from 3 to 8 pm. FUNERAL: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. with Bishop Stephen Vincent conducting. Calling at the church will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday. The family welcomes all who would like to attend the service. BURIAL: St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery on Road 450 North, Columbus. Donations Information Memorials may be made in his honor to the National Alliance of Mentally Ill of South Central Indiana (NAMI), 1916 Central Avenue, Columbus, IN 47201. DirectionsVisitation: Map to Funeral Home