A note from Meredith
I've been thinking a lot about Grandpa in the past week ever since I found a baby picture of him that reminded me so much of my own son. (See Grandpa and baby Cameron below.) That got me thinking about how I could explain Grandpa to Cameron, as he will never get to meet him in this earth life. (Although I am sure that they have met before and I have no doubt that Grandpa was with him as Cameron prepared to come to our family.) How would you describe him??
Meredith Bennie's Story:
If I could describe Grandpa Klinger in two words they would have to be "sweet" and "loving." He was just a kind man. Perhaps that is why he had so many friends. Seriously, it seemed as if he made friends wherever he went. He had a friendliness about him that seemed to just draw people to him and I never met an individual that disliked him. I think that that says a lot about him.
My story of a time that he touched my heart was one of the last times that I saw him. I had learned about his cancer a few weeks before and was disappointed but understood when he told me he was not well enough to attend my high school graduation. As I was getting ready to head out myself for the event the phone rang. It was Grandpa wondering if my mother could come and pick him up- he just couldn't miss it. My Mother wasn't home and I had no idea how soon she would be back so I hung up the phone and ran out the door. I took off right away to get Grandpa. 25 minutes to Elizabeth Town and 25 minutes back; I was late for my own graduation. I still remember what he looked like when I arrived at the Masonic Homes- he was wearing a white wind breaker, looking thin and tired but he wore his usual smile. Grandpa never mentioned his illness as we drove to the Giant Center for the ceremony. He just talked about the future (with me going off to school in Utah) and being together in the eternities. I was so grateful for our conversation because I recognized then that it may be one of our last face to face. And it was.
He told me that he couldn't miss the little girl that he had rocked so often in his rocking chair's graduation and he had to be there that day. He didn't complain about feeling ill- he just sat, tired and smiling through the event. I keep a picture of the two of us together at my graduation on my desk and every time I look at it I remember that I really mattered to him. He always made me feel like I mattered and that he cared about me. Perhaps that is why he was so loved- he was always showing people that he cared about them. The way that he supported people and showed his confidence in them helped people to believe in themselves. I am sure that he had the same effect on so many individuals.....
Sherryl Bailey's Story:
One year we got him a card with a picture of a cute little dog that simply said, "Grandpa, it's Father's Day." He loved the card so much that he framed it and kept it proudly on display in his home for several years. His family meant a lot to him.
My cousin Judy burnt her mouth badly when she was a baby (she put an outlet plug in her mouth) and my Mother went to take care of her after that happened. Judy had a skin graft done and it took some time to heal- her whole chin was burnt and scarred. Dad used to take her out on dates and remind her of how pretty she was.
Dad also saved someone's life once. He saw a person drowning and paused long enough only to remove his watch before diving in to rescue the individual. The reality of the situation never hit him until he got out of the water- where he shook all over.
William Klinger's Story
Being the son of Russell Chatley Klinger I have a million recollections of “Dad”
ranging from humorous to heart-warming and heathenly to heavenly. For Father’s
Day I would like to share one of my earliest recollections. When I was about
5-6 years old and we were living in West Mifflin my father took me to Jumonville
- a Christian Camp and Retreat Center located in the very beautiful Laurel
Highlands mountains of South Western Pennsylvania. I recall dad and I singing
Onward Christian Soldiers, swimming and showering in very cold water, looking up
at my dad and thinking how big a man he was in physical stature, and how much he
loved Jesus. It was a place up in the mountains and a few years ago [2002] I
was driving through Western PA and noticed signs to Jumonville. Just reading
the sign took me back to that time long ago when I first started to connect with
my earthly and Heavenly Fathers. Now that dad has been gone from this existence
for 4
½ years I am growing more and more aware of how he blessed me by providing me
with opportunities to experience the good things in life. Sometimes I was
foolish and did not take him up on his offer and other times I took advantage of
his love and took one step closer to my full potential. . We hope that you
enjoy your time exploring our site and come back often. Better yet, come visit
us in person, and experience the Jumonville difference!
William R. Klinger
aka Dr. K.
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