But about 90 minutes into the ride, Klein, an experienced bicyclist, failed to stop at a stop sign around 2:20 p.m. as he was traveling east on Fisher Avenue and was struck and killed by a 2017 Jeep Cherokee, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
FIRST REPORT: Bicyclist killed in Middletown accident identified
Klein was remembered Sunday at Berachah Church in Middletown. Ferrell said Klein was recently hospitalized and when Ferrell visited him, Klein said he wanted to talk more.
The two men met Feb. 28 at a Bob Evans restaurant and Ferrell said Klein told him he “wanted to give his life to Christ.” Then, just two months ago, Klein was baptized at Berachah.
Stepping out of the water, he reached both arms toward the sky, Ferrell said.
“Everybody loved Paul,” he said after Sunday’s service. “He was very, very devoted to his wife and this church.”
Ferrell also said described Klein as a rabid Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Kentucky fan.
He noted the irony in what Klein told his wife prior to the bike ride.
“Paul Klein is with Jesus,” Ferrell said. “He said to his wife at 1 o’clock yesterday, ‘Honey, I’m going for a ride and I’ll see you at 4.’ He went for a ride and Jesus took him right home. He made it home before 4 o’clock.”
