Charles C. Klein, 92, of Ironton, Ohio, passed away on Friday, Oct. 15, 2010. Born on Oct. 21, 1917, in Ironton, he was the son of the late John A. and Rose G. Klein.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Wiehoff Klein, whom he married on June 7, 1947, and three sons, Dennis C. Klein and wife, Victoria, of Cincinnati, and Roger J. Klein, M.D. and wife, Julie, and Thomas L. Klein and wife, Sara, all of Ashland, Ky.; seven grandchildren, Anne O. Cannata, Matthew C. Klein, Kevin P. Klein, Michael P. Klein, Maureen E. Klein, J. Ward Klein and William C. Klein; and two great-granddaughters, Eleanor and Caroline Cannata. He was preceded in death by his infant grandson, George Vincent Klein, son of Dr. Roger and Julie Ward Klein.

He graduated from George Washington University in 1942 and received his law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1949. He served in the United States Army in the Philippines and received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement. He also served from 1939 – 1943 as a treaty analyst with the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. under Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

Upon receipt of his law degree, he was employed as claims counsel and later as supervisor of claims for Mutual of Omaha for Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and resigned to enter private practice, and joined the former law firm of Andrews & Byrne in Ironton on May 15, 1955.

He loved the practice of law and was active for more than 50 years, and was formerly a member and president of the Lawrence County Bar Association, and member of the Ohio State and American Bar associations. He was also formerly a member of the International Association of Insurance Counsel, the Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, The Defense Research Institute, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and was a Fellow of the American College of Probate Counsel. He served as a member of the board of directors and general counsel to The First National Bank of Ironton, which was later known as Firstar and Star Bank.

In addition to his professional associations, he was also a former member and chairman of the American Red Cross, and a member of the American Cancer Society, United Way, Kiwanis Club, Sierra Club, Irono Associates and Ironton Elks Club. He was also a member of the Bellefonte Country Club of Ashland and the Queen City Club of Cincinnati.

He was a lifelong member of St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Ironton, and first met his wife, Ruth, on the steps to the front door of the church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sibling, his brother, John “Jack” Klein.

Visitation with the family will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m. on Monday at Tracy Brammer Funeral Home in Ironton. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday by Father David H. Huffman at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church with burial immediately thereafter at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions in his memory to St. Lawrence O’Toole Church or to The Poor Clares, 4108 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44103.