Kenneth Kling

St. Marys-Kenneth Melvin Kling, 81, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the St. Marys Manor. He was born April 11, 1933 at Wetmore the youngest of 11 children of Herbert C. and Beryl Williams Kling. Kenny graduated from Wetmore High School in 1951. Mr. Kling worked at Morrill's Packing plant until the plant closed due to the July 14, 1951 flood. He worked with the Kling Family Construction Company doing bricklaying, plastering and concrete work until entering the United States Navy during the Korean conflict in 1952. After four years of service he returned to the family business until he attended the Kansas School of Barbering in Wichita in 1957. Upon completion of barber school he was employed as a barber at Dale's Barber Shop in Holton form 1957 to 1959. He then worked at First National Bank Barber Shop in Topeka until purchasing his own business "Kenny's Barber Shop" in June 1961 at St Marys. After being a barber for over 50 years he retired in 2006. He was a member of the St. Marys United Methodist Church, Aubert-Walls VFW Post 1796 in St. Marys, Jimmie Lillard Post No 31 of the American Legion in Rossville and Lake Lodge No. 50 AF/AM, Silver Lake. He served in the Army National Guard. Kenny was preceded in death by five brothers, Clifford, Clinton, Ernest Lee, Barney and Delmas Kling, four sisters, Inez Larson, Madeline Wolfe, LaVerne Bell and Mary Helen Musick; a step son Rodney Steele and a great-granddaughter, Callie Kling He was united in marriage to Gladys Bolin in 1963, they divorced. He married Charlotte Decker Steele on October 9, 1983 in Rossville. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his children, Charles Austin Kling and Lou Ann Kling; Step-Children, Pamela Del Castillo and Russell Steele; a sister, Delores Schlodder, Hiawatha; five grand-children, Steven and Douglas Kling, Brandon and Kayla Kling and Kendale Jeanneret; nine step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and was the step-great-grandfather of several great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, May 19, 2014 at the St. Marys United Methodist Church. Interment with Masonic and Military services will be at the Valley View Cemetery, St. Marys. Mr. Kling will lie in state and his children will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Marys United Methodist Church and sent in care of the funeral home.