Person Page - 272

     Katie Regina Klinger was born on 9 July 1893, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2,3,4 She was the daughter of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. At the time of the 1920 Census, Katie was single and living with her parents in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, where she worked in a shirt factory.⁵ In 1930, Katie was still single and living with her parents in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA.⁶ At the time of the 1950 Census, Katie was living in a household headed by her mother Amelia in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, where she was a cook in a hotel. According to the Census, she never married.⁷ Katie Regina Klinger died on 19 November 1984, Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg, Dauphin County, PA, at age 91.^3,8 She was buried on 21 November 1984, at Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.^3,2
Newspaper obituary:
Katie R. Klinger
Katie R. Klinger, 91, formerly of Lykens, died Monday in Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg.
She was born in Klingerstown, a daughter of the late Calvin and Amelia Klinger.
She was formerly employed at Lykens Hotel.
Miss Klinger was a member of St. Christopher's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Grand Army of the Republic Auxiliary, both of Lykens.
Surviving are two sisters, Flora Dunlap, of Oaks, Philadelphia area, and Vera Schreffler, Lykens; a brother, Richard Klinger, Lykens; nieces and nephews.
Services were held today at the convenience of the family from John M. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens. The Rev. Jay M. Bohn officiated. Interment was in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco.
Pottsville Republican (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), 21 Nov 1984, Wed, Page 2.²

     John Irvin Klinger was born on 24 September 1898, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^3,1,2,4 He was the son of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. In 1920, John was single and living with his parents in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, where he worked as a carpenter for a mining company.⁵ John Irvin Klinger married Sarah Elizabeth Franke, daughter of John A. Franke and Florence E. Frank, circa 1927.⁶ The 1930 Census, lists John and his wife Sarah as living in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, where John was a carpenter for a lumber yard. John and Sarah had been married about 2 years.⁶ John Irvin Klinger died on 30 May 1981, Leader Nursing Home, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, PA, at age 82.^3,7,8
Newspaper obituary:
John I. Klinger
John I. Klinger, 524 Edward St., Lykens, died Saturday in the Leader Nursing Home East in Lower Paxton Township. He was 82.
Born in Klingerstown, he was the son of the late Calvin and Amelia Klinger, and was the husband of the late Sarah Frank Klinger.
He was a member of the Liberty Hose Co. Number Two, Lykens, and is survived by a daughter, Sonya Bond, Williamstown; sisters Katie R. Klinger, Lykens; Vera Schreffler, Lykens; Flora Dunlap, Oaks; and Grace LLoyd, Pottstown; brothers, Carlos Klinger, Lemoyne; and Richard Klinger, Lykens.
The Daily News (Lebanon, Pennsylvania), 01 Jun 1981, Mon, Page 24.³
He was buried at Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.²

     Flora M. Klinger was born on 15 May 1905, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. In 1930, Flora was single and living with her parents in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA.⁴ Flora M. Klinger married Preston K. Dunlap before 1940.^2,5 In 1940 and 1950, FLora and Preston were living in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, PA. In 19404, Preston was a salesman, and in 1950 he was geneeral manager of a flag factory. Flora was keeping house.^6,7 Flora M. Klinger died on 30 November 1990, Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Allentown, Lehigh County, PA, at age 85.^2,3
Newspaper obituary:
Flora (Klinger) Dunlap, 86, 401 N. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, formally of Oaks, died Friday morning, Nov. 30, [1990,] in the Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Allentown.
She was the wife of the late Preston K. Dunlap.
She was born in Klingerstown, a daughter of the late D. Calvin and Amelia (Klinger) Klinger.
She attended Lykens schools.
She lived most of her life in the Oaks area. She resided the past two years with her niece, Jean M. Romberger, in Allentown.
She was a member of the Oaks Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary and the Phoenixville Hospital Auxiliary.
She is survived by a sister, Vera Schreffler, Lykens; a brother, Richard Klinger, Lykens; and 37 nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Green Tree Cemetery, Egypt Road, Oaks. The Rev. David C. Stauffer, pastor of the Green Tree Church of the Brethren in Oaks, will officiate.
Memorial gifts may be made in her name to the Green Tree Church of the Brethern, Box 116, Oaks 19456.
Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach, Funeral Home Inc., Phoenixville, is in charge of arrangements.³
She was buried on 5 December 1990, at Green Tree Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Oaks, Montgomery County, PA.⁸

     Carlos Earl Klinger was born on 11 October 1901, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^2,3 He was the son of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. Carlos Earl Klinger was baptized on 2 March 1902, St. Michael's Reformed Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.³ In 1920, Carlos was single and living with his parents in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, where he worked as a carpenter for a mining company.¹ He married Mae Viola Williard, daughter of Clarence Williard and Elsie Umholtz, on 17 November 1923, Dauphin County, PA.^4,5 In 1930, Carlos was married to Mae and living in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, where he was a carpenter for a coal mine. Carlos and Mae had been married about 5 years and had 1 daughter.⁴ Carlos Earl Klinger died in July 1984, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, PA, at age 82.^6,7 He was buried at Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.^7,8

     Also descended from George Klinger & Eva Stein, through Harry (Henry), his son Daniel Kissinger, who married Mary Klinger. (Mary Klinger, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, Germany, p. 419) On p. 361 she refers to an article written by Richard Klinger, of Lykens, that appeared in "The Valley Citizen," some time after 1979.
Richard was a long time member of the Lykens Volunteeer Fire Company, and the following memorial appears on the Company's website. (Note the discrepency in the date of death and the date of burial.)
http://home.epix.net/~lhc2/memorial/richardrklinger.html:
" Richard R. Klinger
"Richard R. Klinger, 86, of Susquehanna Luthern Villiage, Millersburg, died Wednesday, January 25, 1998 [5], in Community General Osteopathic Hospital, Lower Paxton Township.
"Born in Klingerstown, PA, on January 17, 1908, he was a son of the late David C. and Amelia L. Klinger. He retired as owner of Klinger's Repair Service; founded the Lykens Santa Claus Truck; and was a member of Lykens United Methodist Church, Liberty Hose Company No. 2, the Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen's Association, and the Lykens Minstril Association.
"He was the widower of Helen I. (Reed) Klinger. Surviving are three sons, Richard E. of Lykens, David C. of San Diego, California, and Donald M. of Bahrain; a daughter, Marie L. Andrews of Harrisburg; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
"Services were held Saturday, January 28, 1995, in Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens. Burial was in Calvary Unived Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, PA.

Richard was also the founder of a Christmas tradition described on the web site of the Lykens, PA., Liberty Hose Company No. 2 [http://home.epix.net/~lhc2/lykens/santatruck.html]:

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS
The Klinger Family Traditional Procession Turns 65 This Year!

Children and adults in Upper Dauphin County will again be treated to the usual sound and sight of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve-a tradition that has continued for 65 years.

The Rich Klinger Legacy Continues

In 1934, a four-cylinder panel truck decorated with evergreens traveled the streets of Lykens Borough with a jovial and generous Santa Claus offering treats to fascinated children. Behind him, a one-horse sleigh kept pace urging all to keep the Season's spirit alive and well. Santa, portrayed by Richard Roosevelt Klinger and his brother, Carlos, wanted to do something for the community.

That was 65 years ago. The truck, a Chrysler Fargo, has long since been a discontinued model, and fickle weather has made Fred Cooper's sleigh impractical. But that modest effort to salute Christmas Eve became an annual celebration which has grown into an established tradition and is still maintained by the Klinger family with the willing assistance of friends and neighbors.

One would have to be well past 60 years of age to even faintly remember life in the 1930's. The depression, CCC camps, WPA, Joe Louis fights, traveling carnivals and minstrel shows, family and church picnics, and the Lone Ranger on the radio which opened and closed with the William Tell Overture. Life back then was exciting and uncomplicated for young children. The family as an institution was high on most people's priority list.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Klinger, Sr., were married in August, 1925 in Elizabethville. They were the parents of five children, Marie, Robert, Richard, David, and Donald. In 1975 they were the guests of honor at a Golden Wedding Anniversary party. One of the gifts they received from their children was an oil painting which features Santa on his truck in front of the family business. The senior Klingers are now deceased, as is son Robert, who followed his father in the family business.

Rich Klinger had been employed full time in the mines as were many people in the valley. In 1925, he opened a radio repair business on a part-time basis. The closing of the mines and the loss of his job in 1930 forced him into the radio sales and repair business. He had planned and saved wisely for the future.

Going into business for yourself involves a lot of faith in yourself and the hope that there's a market for your services. Over time, Klinger built his radio and sound operation into a multipurpose hardware and appliance store that had become a community institution.

The Santa Truck eventually became a float, and while Christmas music was always part of the event in the early years, sometime in the late 1940's Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus" became the featured tune. A 78 RPM recording was orginally used, but the song was eventually converted to tape because the record had long since worn out. In 1984 Autry sent a personal letter to Klinger thanking him for using his song as part of the tradition and wishing him many more years of success with the Santa Truck.(Note: Gene Autry passed away from cancer on October 2, 1998)

In the 1950's, the use of portable generators enhanced the lighting and sound features and made the Christmas Eve event even more spectacular. The senior Klinger had since been replaced by son, Robert, who played the role of Santa for 45 years.

Son Richard Earl Klinger next filled in and became the general manager for the project, a responsibility he continues to enjoy as preparations are being made for this year's Christmas Eve trip. His son, Richard Eiler Klinger, has been "Santa" for the past several years, and indications are that grandfather Klinger's tradition will continue indefinitely.

The decorations on the truck (a fourth generation Santa Truck) have increased significantly since the first holiday drive through the borough. Now there is a wooden house with a chimney that fits on the back of a pickup truck, and this house even sports a mailbox. The number on the mailbox changes each year to mark the number of times the celebration has been staged.

A second holiday truck also joined the parade in the 1950's. Herbert McElhenney, a service station owner, outfitted a truck with a sleigh and plywood reindeer. Now there were two couriers of Christmas joy to delight young and old on those cold Christmas Eves.

Soon, church members in Wiconisco, pleased with the custom but wanting to improve upon its secular nature, asked if they could participate in some way. They were welcomed with open arms, and built a scale model of a church on a pickup truck to join the procession. At the time, they also distributed presents of their own, plaster plaques with spiritual scenes and messages. A banner embracing the float advised onlookers to "Keep Christ in Christmas". Several years ago, the Klinger family acquired the church float and they continue to maintain it.

Members of the Klinger and McElhenney families began to devote laborious hours to preparing and improving the floats, and began to lengthen their pre-Christmas run. Keith Bingaman acquired the McElhenney business, and still participates in the Christmas Eve celebration.

Santa's Elves distribute 7,000 popcorn balls from both the Klinger and Bingaman trucks to the delighted children and adults who are young at heart.

For a time, the floats were enjoyed in the Lykens, Williams, and Hegins Valleys, and included the boroughs , townships, and developments of Wiconisco, Loyalton, Williamstown, Tower City, Porter, Hegins, Valley View, Hubley, Gratz, Elizabethville, and Millersburg. The trip ran from 6 p.m. until after midnight.

Over the last several years, the Christmas Eve travel schedule has been curtailed to the areas of Lykens, Wiconisco, and Williamstown. This has been made necessary due to todays increased traffic volume and to the rising cost of fuel, insurance and permits.

Of all the community activities Rich Klinger, Sr., has been involved with, the Santa Claus drive was his favorite, Richard Earl Klinger said. "He did it for other people's enjoyment and his own. And my dad did many things for other people, and didn't expect anything in return. That was his nature".

"I hope we can continue this tradition for many years to come. Every year seems more remarkable to me", Richard Earl Klinger said.

At about midnight Christmas Eve, the sound of "Silent Night" can be heard as the Klinger Santa Truck makes a final run through Lykens. By this time most young children are asleep, and parents and grandparents have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the wondrous event that will happen next morning. They also have time to reflect and remember their days of innocence and youth and all the joys of Christmas past.

Note: Richard R. Klinger was a member of Liberty Hose Company No. 2 for 51 years. His son, Richard E. Klinger, is a member.¹


Richard Roosevelt Klinger was born on 17 June 1908, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^2,3 He was the son of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. Some sources record that Richard Roosevelt Klinger was born on 27 January 1908.⁴ He married Helen Irene Reed, daughter of William Henry Reed and Mary Elizabeth Kissinger, on 29 August 1925, Simeon Lutheran Church, Gratz, Dauphin County, PA.^5,6,7 In 1930, Richard and his wife Helen were living in the West Ward of Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, with 2 children. Richard was a carpenter in a coal mine.⁸ Richard Roosevelt Klinger died on 25 January 1995, Community General Osteopathic Hospital, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, PA, at age 86.⁹
Newspaper obituary:
Richard R. Klinger, 86, of Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg, formerly of Lykens, died Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Community General Osteopathic Hospital, Harrisburg.
Bom in Klingerstown, June 17, 1908, he was a son of the late Calvin and Amelia (Klinger) Klinger.
He was retired owner of Klinger's Repair Service, Lykens.
He was the founder of Lykens Santa Claus truck, which spread cheer to the area for 60 years.
He was a member of Lykens United Mediodist Church, Liberty Hose Company No. 2, Lykens Dauphin County Volunteer Firemens Association and Lykens Minstrel Association.
His wife, Helen I., died in 1990.
Surviving are three sons. Richard E., Lykens, president of Lykens Borough Council, David C., San Diego, Calif., and Donald M., Bahrain; a daughter, Marie L. Andrews, Harrisburg; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday from John M. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens. The Rev. Kevin E. Hughes will officiate. Interment will be in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco.
Pottsville Republican, January 26, 1995, Page 2.²
He was buried on 28 January 1995, at Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.^9,10

     Grace Christiana Klinger was born on 4 December 1911, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. Grace Christiana Klinger married Irvin Arthur Lloyd, son of Arthur I. Lloyd and Blanche I. Schwenk, on 16 August 1941, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, PA.^4,5 Grace Christiana Klinger died on 16 November 1981, West Chester Arms Nursing Home, West Chester, Chester County, PA, at age 69.^2,6,3
Newspaper obituary:
Grace C. Lloyd
Grace C. Lloyd, 69, of Star Route, Harmonyville Road, near Pottstown, died Monday in West Chester Arms Nursing Home, West Chester.
She was born in Klingerstown, a daughter of the late Calvin and Amelia Klinger.
She was a retired employee of Lykens Hotel. Mrs. Lloyd was a member of St. Christopher's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lykens.
Surviving are her husband, Irvin A; three sisters, Katie R. Klinger and Mrs. Vera M. Schreffler, both of Lykens, and Mrs. Flora M. Dunlap, Oaks, Pa; two brothers, Carlos E., Lemoyne, and Richard R., Lykens.
Services will be held Thursday at the convenience of the family from John M. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens. The Rev. Jay M. Bohn will officiate. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Williamstown.
Pottsville Republican, November 17, 1981, Page 2.³
She was buried at Fairview Cemetery, Williamstown, Dauphin County, PA.⁷

     Vera Mae Klinger was born on 25 February 1916, Lykens, Dauphin County, PA.^1,2 She was the daughter of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger. Vera Mae Klinger married Allen Elmer Rowe, son of George Rowe and Minnie Miller, on 30 June 1934, St. John's Lutheran Parsonage, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, PA.^3,4,5 Vera Mae Klinger filed for divorce from Allen Elmer Rowe on 26 December 1942.⁴ Vera Mae Klinger and Allen Elmer Rowe were divorced in August 1948 Dauphin County, PA.⁶ Vera Mae Klinger and Clyde Thomas Schreffler obtained a marriage license in January 1949 Dauphin County, PA.⁷ Vera Mae Klinger married Clyde Thomas Schreffler, son of Thomas Henry Schreffler and Jennie M. Shoop, on 8 January 1949, Lykens, Dauphin County, PA.^3,7,8 Vera Mae Klinger died on 19 April 1993, Polyclinic Medical Center, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, at age 77.^2,3,9
Newspaper obituary:
Vera M. Schreffler
Vera M. Schreffler, 77, of 251 N. Second St., Lykens, died Monday at Polyclinic Medical Center, Harrisburg.
Born in Lykens, March 25, 1916, she was a daughter of the late D. Calvin and Amelia Klinger Klinger.
She was a member of Lykens United Methodist Church.
Surviving are her husband, Clyde T; a son, Clyde T. Jr., The Dalles, Ore.: four daughters, Jean M. Romberger, Allentown, Wanda Rowe-Kochenour and Carole Wertz, both of Halifax, and Ruth-Ann Hicks, Harrisburg; a brother, Richard E. Klinger, Lykens; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from John M. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens. The Rev. Lloyd Shellenberger will officiate. Interment will be in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco.
Pottsville Republican (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), 20 Apr 1993, Tue, Page 2.¹⁰
She was buried at Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.¹¹

     Mary Klinger's book, p. 326, lists Helen's birth date as "1825," but that is impossible. She also mistakenly lists her maiden name as "Kissinger" on the next page. Helen Irene Reed was born on 30 January 1909.^1,2,3,4 She was the daughter of William Henry Reed and Mary Elizabeth Kissinger. Helen Irene Reed married Richard Roosevelt Klinger, son of David Calvin Klinger and Amelia Loretta Klinger, on 29 August 1925, Simeon Lutheran Church, Gratz, Dauphin County, PA.^5,6,7 Helen Irene Reed died on 6 February 1990, Susquehanna Center, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, at age 81.^8,3
Newspaper obituary:
Mrs. Helen I. Klinger, 81, 500 South Second St., Lykens, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Susquehanna Center, Harrisburg.
She was born at Lykens, January 30, 1909, daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Kissinger Reed. She was a member of Lykens United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband: Richard R. Klinger; one daughter; Marie Andrews, Harrisburg; three sons; Richard E. of Lykens, David C. of LaMaddelana and Donald M. of Germany; one sister, Jennie Brosius, Gratz; one brother, Paul S. Reed, Hegins; 11 grandchildren and 1O great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held Saturday at the John M. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens, with The Rev. Lloyd Shellenberger, her pastor, officiating.
Interment in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco.³
She was buried on 10 February 1990, at Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.³