Michelle Klein, 53, of Medway, Ohio, passed away Friday evening, September 5, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

      Michelle was born March 27, 1972, in Flora, Illinois, the cherished firstborn child of David and Trudy (Hamilton) Koontz.  In the sanctuary of First Christian Church in Flora, on August 25, 1990, she married her best friend, Troy Klein, and together they wrote a 35-year love story that included four children, a grandson, and in recent years, being a “mom” to a Great Dane named Winston.

      Michelle’s surviving family includes her husband, Troy, of Medway, and her parents, David and Trudy Koontz of Flora.  She was an adoring mother to her kids: son, Graham Klein and spouse, Sarah, of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter, Allie Klein and spouse, Brooks, of Rochester, New York; son, Matthew Klein and partner, Katherine Sakelariou, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and son, Lucas Klein of Medway.  She was a loving grandma to Oliver Klein.  She is also survived by her beloved siblings: brother, Bret Koontz and spouse, Ginger, and sister, Kari Thackrey and spouse, Evan, all of Flora; and her nieces and nephews.

      Cystic Fibrosis was a lifelong battle for Michelle and was ultimately what led to her passing.  Much progress has been made in recent years in treating CF, but more work remains to be done.  Her grandson, Oliver, was the center of her world, and watching him in a video that was sent to her, or getting to actually visit with him was always the highlight of her day—especially so if she had the opportunity to spoil him.  She strove to be like her own grandmother, lovingly known as "Granny Mo.”  Michelle carried the gentleness, love, and compassion of Granny Mo throughout her whole life.  Michelle adopted every friend of her children as her own, and they didn’t have a choice.  Many of them still think of her as—and call her—“mom,”  just as her own children do.

      In everyday life, Michelle enjoyed scrapbooking and following true-crime investigations, courtroom trials, and documentaries. She loved simply talking with her kids and their partners about their days, and could often be heard singing along to ’60s and ’70s folk and rock music with a voice that will live on in the hearts and memories of those who shared her life and love.

      A Celebration of Life Ceremony for Michelle will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Burial will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 12, at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and will be accepted through the funeral home or online by visiting https://www.cff.org/donate.  To share a condolence or memory, please visit: www.frankandbright.com