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Joseph E. Klingler, Sr.

5956b0ecdd1b7Joseph E. Klingler, Sr., 97, of Greenville, formerly of Seneca, passed away on Friday morning, June 30, 2017 at his son’s home with his children by his side, following complications of a stroke.

He was born February 1, 1920 in Knox, he was the first of four boys born to the late Peter F. and Jessie (Dittman) Klingler.

He was a graduate of Knox High School and while in high school he worked at the Knox Bakery and the Knox Bowling Alley. Following high school, he was employed by United Natural Gas Co. before entering the U.S. Army during World War II, serving as a staff sergeant in Texas, Maine, and finally the Philippine Islands as a radio/radar electronics technician.

While still serving in the Army, he married Doris Updegraff of Shippenville on November 4, 1943. They were married 63 years at the time of her death in 2006.

After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, he went back to work with United Natural Gas Co., which then became National Fuel Gas. He began as a laborer with the company, advancing to station operator, station foreman, district foreman, and finally superintendent of natural gas pumping stations, retiring after almost 41 years of service to the company.

Joe was an avid golfer and bowler, participating in golf until age 93, playing as many as 36 holes a day. He bowled until almost age 95 with the AARP bowling league at Seneca and Meadville Lanes, bowling three to four times a week. He really loved being with his friends and the camaraderie that they shared.

Throughout the many years that he and Doris lived in Seneca, he was very active with the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, helping to remodel the fire hall. He was an active Red Cross blood donor, and when he could no longer donate, he and Doris volunteered at the blood mobiles.

He was an amazingly gifted man who was able to build or fix and repair almost anything. He was always there for his family, especially his children, Joe Jr. and Gale. Anytime they needed anything, he was there to lend a hand, his expertise, or support.

The last two and half years were some of his most challenging, as he battled back from a severe hemorrhagic stroke, with intense therapy by wonderful P.T., O.T., and speech therapists; and above all, the fabulous care and support of his son, who actively participated in the journey. Joe was able to walk with a walker, ride his adult-sized tricycle in Buhl Park, and beat anyone at a game of Dominos. After he fractured his right hip in October of 2016, he again worked very hard to regain the ability to walk and ride his bike, and he loved to beat his daughter playing Dominos.

He is survived by his children, Joseph E. Klingler, Jr. and Gale Klingler Nelson and her husband John; eight nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Joe was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred, Jack, and Harrison Klingler.

Friends and family will be received Sunday (July 2) from 1 — 7 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. A funeral service will be conducted in the funeral home Monday (July 3rd) at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Robert H. Wilson, a former pastor of Seneca United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Interment with full military honors accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Shippenville, Clarion County.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 737 Elk St., Franklin, PA 16323.

To express condolences to Joe’s family online, please visit www.hilebest.com.

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