Family and friends of US Marine Nicholas Kleiboeker was remembered 20 years after his death in Iraq at a gathering at the Odin Village Park on Saturday.
An outdoor basketball court built in his memory at the Odin Park was dedicated five years after its completion. Family and friends also remembered the good times with Kleiboeker growing up in Odin and graduating from Odin High School.
Odin Police Chief Joe Nix says the basketball courts in Nic’s honor was a project undertaken by Mick Kelley when he served as Mayor, but he died before a dedication could ever take place.
“I just want somewhere for kids to hang out and Mick wanted to dedicated it to Nic. So we got with a bunch of volunteers and used ticket money, got with people in the town and got donations and got workers from Shores Builders to come do concrete work for nothing.”
Nix says a plaque in Nic’s honor dedicating the basketball court will be hung at village hall.
Kleiboeker’s mom, Cheryl, was among those sharing stories including how she accommodated Nic’s wish before going overseas to have three younger brothers. After losing a son at birth, she went on to adopt two children and was surprised when she became pregnant and gave birth to his third younger brother at the age of 42.
“So when I have people that say things to me like Oh my God why did you have all those kids. If you got 10 minutes to your life sorry I’d be more than happy to tell you but in the meantime I thank Jesus these are mine and I’m proud of them. And I know Nic looks down on them as he’s resting in Abraham’s bosom and saying my mama kept her word.”
Nic’s dad Gary was brought to tears when recounting how they had been told by those in Nic’s unit how he had gone to the area of Iraq referred to in the Bible as the Garden of Eden to complete Bible studies and Baptize some of them.
Among others sharing stories was Nic’s older sister Patti Tate.
“He was always hunting something or eating something no-one else would eat. Nic loved shock and fear factor. He was great for a good laugh. He will always hold a place in our hearts. It is disheartening to know some people have forgotten, but that happens to a lot of people we lost. But when they touch your heart and imprint on that you will always carry that with you.”
His brother Hank Jourdan said Nic was his best friend and they did everything together as kids.
“I knew that Nic was going to be a soldier. There was no doubt. He talked about it when we were kids. I mean who does that?”
Both Jordan and Nic’s mom said you would never find anyone more patriotic.
Nicholas Kleiboeker was killed when the munitions bunker he was working in Al Hillah, Iraq caught fire and exploded on May 13th, 2003. He was 19 years old at the time of his death.
Cheryl Kleiboeker with the three younger brothers her late son Nic wanted before his death in Iraq. Left to right are James Clark, Shane Clark, and Sam Clark. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Nicholas’ father Gary remembers his late son at Saturday’s program celebrating his life 20 years after his death in Iraq. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
