Heather Kleiman Obituary, Death – Heather Kleiman, who served as the athletic trainer at GLHS for many years, passed away on Monday, December 26 at a hospital in Green Bay. Heather was spending the holidays at home in Escanaba with her family when she became ill and was taken to a hospital in Green Bay. Unfortunately, she did not survive the difficulties connected to blood clots that she experienced there. Heather’s dedication to our student athletes and coaching staff was unrivaled. She held the record in Mid-Michigan for having the longest tenure of any athletic trainer. Our Grand Ledge neighborhood and school will suffer a significant setback as a result of this unfortunate event.
Since 2004, Heather has been the Comets’ Athletic Trainer, during which time she has assisted student athletes from Grand Ledge and the surrounding area in Mid-Michigan. It is impossible to put a monetary value on the difference she made in the lives of the students she cared for. Heather, the consummate professional, was the voice of reason and reassurance to both the students and the parents, whether she was in the locker room or out on the field. She was widely regarded as a pioneer in her field in the community where she worked because she always put the welfare of the student athletes she coached at the forefront of all she did.
Heather made sure that the weight room at GLHS was a friendly and inviting environment for anyone who came to use it. Her unique qualities, which include her witty sense of humor, her straightforward nature, and her experience as an athletic trainer, set her apart. Our students, coaches, and community have been lucky to have such a great lady in such an important role. Heather exemplified all of the admirable qualities that can be gained via participation in educational athletics.
We shall never forget her. In your thoughts and prayers, please remember to keep Heather’s family in mind. As further information becomes available to us, we will make sure to communicate it to you as soon as possible.