Lynn Alan Klingaman
Lynn Alan Klingaman, 84, of Etna Troy Township, Whitley County, died at 2:35 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at his home.
He was born July 22, 1931, in Etna Troy Township, Whitley County a son of Kenneth W. and Mary E. (Corbin) Klingaman. He attended eight grades at Troy Center School and graduated from Larwill High School in 1949. He engaged in farming with his father until enlisting in the United States Army in October 1952. Lynn served in the United States, France and Germany.
On Sept. 11, 1954, he was united in marriage to Joyce A. Alexander. Following his honorable discharge in Oct. 1955, they took up residence south of Etna on the old Scott farm where his father and family were raised. Lynn and Joyce raised four children on this family farm, Neil, Karen, Bruce and Kay. In addition to farming, he built many grain handling set ups in the area and engaged in shop work. In late 1988 he began his five years of maintenance supervisor for a large grain elevator, later working on heavy equipment before his retirement.
A member of New Hope Wesleyan Church, he was involved several years with the 4-H tractor maintenance program, active in several antique tractor and engine clubs, organized and served with the antique tractor and engine display at the Whitley County 4-H Fair, organized and served as president of the Sheppard Diesel Club and served as a director for several years with Whitley County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He also helped rebuild several steel bridges and was instrumental in the establishment of the Whitley County Agricultural Museum and 4-H Learning Center.
Surviving relatives include his wife: Joyce; four children: Neil (Rose) Klingaman, Columbia City; Karen (Johnny) Burton, Larwill; Bruce (Edith) Klingaman, Larwill; and Kay (Bill) Dittlinger, Columbia City; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister: Arlene Furkis; and a daughter-in-law: Priscilla Klingaman.
The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the funeral home. The burial will be in the Keister Section of Scott Cemetery with military honors presented by the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard.
Preferred memorials are to Whitley County 4-H Inc. or New Hope Wesleyan Church.