LEO J. KLEIN: The woodcarver we asked about – Leo J. Klein of
Wilcox – turns out to be quite a fascinating individual.

You may recall that we had passed along an inquiry from a
woodworking magazine which had been told that Klein’s carved pieces
were going for quite a bit of money.

What’s interesting to us, though, is Mr. Klein’s background.

Catherine A. “Kate” Donachy of St. Marys, his niece, writes that
he had been wounded twice in Germany during World War II, losing a
leg in one instance. After his discharge from the service, he came
to live with her mother, brother and her.

“As a result of wounds, he lost most of the useðof his arm and
started carving as therapy and ultimately recovered most of the use
of his arm.ðHe also played the accordion and, at that time, he was
worriedðthat he would never play again,” she writes.

“He began by carving the likeness of General Ike on a flat piece
of wood, then he did a picture of his son, Bernard (like bas relief
on wood).

“From there he started carving pheasants, turkeys, etc.ðIðhave
twoðturkeys and a ring-neck pheasant that he carved. Most of these
were carved during the 1950s and ’60s. He loved to hunt birds and
deer.

“Uncle Leo passed away May 4, 1989, at the age of 80 of a
massive stroke.”

We also heard from that son, Bernard J., whose last name is now
spelled Kline:

“My father was a very talented man. He played the accordion by
ear, loved the out-of-doors, especially hunting and fishing.

“Shortly after he was returned to the U.S. Army Hospital in New
Jersey, he was able to fold empty cigarette packs so they locked
together forming an excellent frame for pictures. Because of the
colorful packages at that time they were very quite beautiful.
Unfortunately that technique went with his passing.

“He had carved many birds and fish, many times getting orders
from hunters at the start of hunting season and delivering their
order the following hunting season.

“Although my Mother and Father were divorced while I was young,
I have always had respect for his gentleness and abilities.”

He tells us the spelling of the name was changed at an early age
as a result of the divorce.

We have more on this story to share soon.