of Chelsea, Michigan, age 92, died Thursday, August 5, 2021, at his home in Chelsea. He was born September 18, 1928, in Asha, Cyprus, the son of Kleanthis and Christa Ilou (Hjkyriacou) Costa. Dr. Kleanthous was born on the former British Colony of Cyprus. He left the island in 1948, to study medicine in the U.S. He studied pre-med at Wayne State, and then attended University of Michigan Medical School. Costas met Sylvia in anatomy class at Wayne State. After graduation, Costas joined the Army and traveled the world. While in the U.S., he did his OBGYN residency at William Beaumont Military Hospital in El Paso, TX. He studied hospital administration for 2 years at Baylor University in San Antonio, TX. Costas also did his family practice residency at Dewitt Army Hospital in Fort Belvoir, VA. Overseas, he spent 4 years in Germany, 3 years in Italy, and 3 years in Ethiopia. After the military, he worked at the Chelsea Emergency and Rehabilitation Services PC. He was also the Medical Director of Substance Abuse at Chelsea Community Hospital, Medical Director of Substance Program at Oakdale Recovery in Canton, and worked at Brighton Hospital.
On July 19, 1953, he married Sylvia Artemis Maropoulou in Detroit. He is also survived by 3 children, Emmanuela Chris (Theodore) Brogden of Iowa Park, TX, Pamela Sue (Kent) Smeltz of Dornsife, PA, James Kleo Kleanthous of Chelsea, MI; 2 grandchildren, Juliana Artemis Smeltz and Erik James Smeltz.
A funeral service will be held Monday, August 9, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, with Fr. Nicolaos Kotsis officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10-11 am. Burial will be Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 11:00 am at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Attn: AHEPA Chapter 195, 3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel.
Click here to watch the recording of Dr. Kleanthous' funeral
Click here to watch the recording of Dr. Kleanthous' graveside service
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