Klaus

George Laverne Klaus, 86, of Lancaster, formerly from Butler, died Friday at the Heart of Lancaster Hospital, in Lititz, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

He was born in Etna to the late Henry and Eleanor Klaus.

George was a torch repairman for Armco (AK Steel) for 40 years and retired in 1986. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

George was inducted into the Butler Sports Hall of Fame. He lettered in swimming, basketball and track and field. During his basketball career, he played for the YMCA league and traveled around the country. In the early 1950s he played in a tournament in North Carolina and played against Wilt Chamberlain.

Surviving are his ex-wife Katharine Peterson of Wisconsin; four daughters, Lynda Tinsley and her husband, Jimmy, Susan Niggel and her husband, David, Carol Lindbeck and her husband, William, and Nancy Liberda and her husband, Edward; nine grandchildren, Lorie Cox and her husband, Micheal, William VanWormer and his wife, Jeannine, David Niggel and his wife, Angela, Greg Niggel, Elizabeth Liberda, Megan Lindbeck, Anna Lindbeck, Christopher Liberda and Marc Lindbeck; five great- grandchildren, Victoria Fratz, Alan VanWormer, Elissa Niggel, Rebecca Niggel and Hailea Koep; and a number of nephews and great nephews.

George was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Lindbeck.

<B>KLAUS</B> — There will be no services for George Lavern Klaus, who died Friday, Oct. 29, 2010. Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Charles f. Snyder funeral home</B> in Lititz.To send an online condolence or for more information please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com