State reps introduce bill to dedicate Gold Star Bridge to Edward Kleha
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL FILE PHOTO - A June 26, 2017 file photo of the Gold Star Bridge in Shenandoah.
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
SHENANDOAH – Twenty-five state representatives, including all three from Schuylkill County, recently introduced a bill to dedicate the bridge commonly known as the Gold Star Bridge as the Edward Kleha Memorial Bridge.
The bill, House Bill 937, was introduced last month and has been referred to the transportation committee, and, if passed, would take effect 60 days after. Its primary sponsor is Representative Neal Goodman, D-123, who represents the majority of northern Schuylkill County, including Shenandoah, Ashland, Mahanoy City, and Frackville.
“Edward Kleha lived a life of service to the residents of Schuylkill County and this Commonwealth,” the bill reads. ”Prior to his passing, Edward Kleha was Chief of Staff to Representative Goodman for 15 years and worked at Hexcel Corporation prior to holding that position. Mr. Kleha was passionate about politics and active in the Schuylkill County Democratic Party.”
Kleha was born in Shenandoah on July 6, 1951, to Edward F. “Duds” and Mary Rose Kleha. and attended Annunciation BVM Elementary and Shenandoah Catholic High School until its closure. He graduated from Cardinal Brennan in 1969.
According to the bill, Kleha served as chairman for the Schuylkill County Housing Authority, and on the borad of directors for the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and SEDCO. He also was a member of the Democratic State Committee.
Locally, he was a social member of the Polish American Fire Company, and a member of the Shenandoah Fish and Game Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks Lodge. He was also a founding member of the Rodbenders Fishing Club.
A devout catholic, he was a member of Divine Mercy Parish. Additionally, he was a descendant of Father Walter J. Ciszek, the bill said, and served as an altar boy at Cizek’s first mass in Shenandoah upon return from Russian imprisonment.
Kleha passed away on March 8 of last year.
”Mr. Kleha dedicated his life to helping others and was a strong advocate for Schuylkill County,” the bill says.
The bill would designate the Gold Star Bridge, which carries Route 924 and the Gold Star Highway over the Shenandoah Creek and a former railroad bed, as the Edward Kleha Memorial Bridge.
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