Elmer R. Klinger, Jr.

Elmer R. Klinger, Jr., 80 years, of rural Defiance, died at 1:10 p.m., Saturday, February 17, 2007 at the emergency room of Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers, Bryan, Ohio. Mr. Klinger was employed by International Harvester, Fort Wayne, Indiana for over 30 years, retiring in 1975. He was an active member and participant at Auglaize Village in Defiance, the Maumee Valley Steam Show, the Flat Rock Creek Festival in Paulding and the Van Wert Old Fashioned Farmers. Elmer owned his own sawmill. He also pressed his own apples and made his own cider and molasses. Elmer trusted in the good Lord and his sorghum molasses all his life, taking both each and every day.. Elmer R. Klinger, Jr., was born on July 20, 1926, near Convoy, Ohio, the son of Elmer R. And Evelyn Belle (O’Bryant) Klinger, Sr. He married Mona C. Bailey on June 27, 1968 in Van Wert County, Ohio, and she survives. In addition to his wife, Mona, he is survived by five daughters, Ruby (Dan) Leininger of Flagstaff, AZ., Ruth (Rex) Rinker of Van Buren, OH., Robin Miles of Fort Walton Beach, FL., Ramona and Kelly Jo Klinger, both of Ney, OH.; one son, Elmer R. (Laurie) Klinger, III of Portland, OR.; step-daughter, Carol (Andy) Bilbado of Defiance, OH.; two stepsons, Mike (Cheryl) Bergman of Sherwood, OH. and Rob (Faye) Bergman of Ney, OH.; 21 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Roy (Sue) Klinger of Phoenix, AZ., and Rowland (June) Klinger of Marion, IN; three sisters, Ruby (William) Miller of Grove City, OH., Rachel (Joe) Wyandt of Haviland, OH. and Naomi (Don) Rice of Niceville, FL.. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Patricia Ann Klinger, five sisters, Rea and Pauline Klinger, Ruth Crabill, Rose Miller and Evelyn Coyne and one brother, Robert Klinger. There will not be any visitation or services for Mr. Klinger. Arrangements by Krill Funeral Service, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. Memorials in the name of Elmer R. Klinger, Jr., may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the family.