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“Our business was started in February, 1947. It was established in the old barn owned by Effie Kleinstiver (mother of Lorne). The old horse and cow stalls were removed and a workshop was set up on this property. A chimney was built to accommodate the ‘old wood stove’. At the outset we engaged in the installation of plumbing, heating and electrical equipment. The first installation was made on the farm of Aaron Oestreicher north of Dashwood, now owned by Howard Datars. Helen Kleinstiver did the books along with teaching school at Blackbush. These days required long hours of work to survive in a very competitive market. There was also a shortage of materials as well as a shortage of skilled help. We improved those skills by taking many heating courses provided by National Warm Air. Our firm was one of the first to install forced warm air systems in this locality. We were also among the first to install atomizing oil burners, as well as conversions.
Subsequently we engaged in oil burner service as well as selling fuel oil. The storage centre was established on the eastern limits of the village. The property was purchased from Charles Snell. Our contract was with Sterling fuels of London. During the five years in the oil business Marie Restemayer was employed. Marie recorded all oil deliveries as well as recording service work and billing. In 1962 we constructed our new shop on the present property where we live. During construction when the building was closed ‘in’ we held a ‘box social’. The net proceeds of over $300.00 was donated to the building of the Dashwood Community Centre.
In the late 60’s we were the first to install a heat pump in the area. This unit was made by Fedders and installed for Mr. Jack Aselstyne in his new residency located in Beach O’ Pines. Our firm has continued to install residential Air to Air heat pumps to the present day.
We became a Corporation in 1966 with Lorne Kleinstiver, President and Helen Kleinstiver, Secretary-treasurer. We provided maintenance for the Dashwood Industry plant then located in Dashwood. In 1969 Dashwood plant moved to Centralia and our firm was awarded the total mechanical contract. This involved not only the installation of all services but moving equipment from the old plant in Dashwood to the new facility in Centralia. Moving machinery and connecting new services took place in 1971, requiring the employment of L.W. Kleinstiver Ltd. of 14 men.
The firm has done installations for Oakwood Inn, Grand Bend, Benmiller Inn, Benmiller Post Office, Ailsa Craig Municipal Building, Grand Bend, Gaiser Apartments, Exeter and many others. We have three service trucks and employ three to five persons serving an area from London to Clinton, Forest to Stratford. Our shop is equipped to handle any electrical work, plumbing contract and heating which includes sheet metal work. And now, nearly forty years later we have been proud to serve many faithful customers and continuing to do so. Also we have apprenticed some fine young men who have received their licenses and gone on to start their own businesses or taken positions with very reputable firms elsewhere. Prepared by Lorne and Helen Kleinstiver.”
extracted from “Friedsburg-Dashwood 1860-1985” by Mary (Patterson) Rader, 1985; pgs. 34-35, ISBN 0-9692115-0-3