KLING, Harold Henry - b. February 11, 1922 - d. February 21, 2012

[patyrn]

Harold Henry Kling, 90, of El Dorado, Kansas, died Tuesday evening, February 21, 2012.  He was born February 11, 1922 on a farm near Howard, Kansas, the son of Adam Henry and Marie (Clark) Kling. 

He was a graduate of Howard High School with the Class of 1939.  He worked on the family farm and attended Kansas State University from 1941-1942,  During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.  He served as a navigator on a B-24 Liberator, a four-engine bomber flying bombing missions out of southern Italy against targets in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and northern Italy.  He was separated from the service in 1945 and was married to Almira Anne Miller on November 15, 1945 in Howard, Kansas.  They farmed near Howard until 1963.  He also sold life insurance for several years.  He started with Beech Aircraft in 1966 as a data writer and retired as a Technical Editor in 1987.  While working for Beech, he received his Associate's Degree from Butler County Junior College in 1983.

Harold was a very faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, having served as the church treasurer.  He was a Past Commander of the American Legion and Past President of the Lions Club.  He was an active leader in 4-H when his children were growing up.

Surviving family include his wife, Anne, of the home; four sons, John R. Kling of Leawood, Kansas, William H. Kling of The Woodlands, Texas, Michael C. Kling of Anacortis, Washington, and James D. Kling of Brighton, Michigan; one daughter, Deborah A. Myers of Louisburg, Kansas; two brothers, Loren Kling of Lenexa, Kansas and Verne Kling of Dubuque, Iowa; two sisters, Alice Schwartzkopf of Hutchinson, Kansas and Marge Doyen of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and eleven grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lavina Harper.

The celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, 421 W. Central, El Dorado, Kansas.  The burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.  A visitation will be held Friday evening, February 24, 2012 at the Kirby-Morris Funeral Home between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.  A memorial has been established with Butler County College.  Contributions may be left with the Kirby-Morris Funeral Home, 224 W. Ash, El Dorado, Kansas 67042.  Please share a memory of Harold at www.kirbymorrisfuneralhome.com.

(taken from the El Dorado Times website)

[frawin]

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and the family. Harold was a good friend and I always enjoyed a visit with him at the Alumni banquet. Harold graduated in the Howard High Class of 1939. He attended the Alumni Banquet almost every year, he will be missed.