Al Klingele is my Dad and my daughters' Poppie. He passed away from a long illness and complications from diabetes. My father-in-law from my marriage that ended in divorce. Even though, I still consider him "Dad." He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mathilde and his two daughters, Joyce and Laura, and four sons, Ed, Al, Joe and Chris, 13 grandchildren... and now great grandchildren!
At 19, he joined the Army and in 1943, joined the 45th Division, a unit from Oklahoma. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He fought during WWII on Normany Beach.
In the picture I've posted here, he is shown with his war souvenir photographs. Most of them were German propaganda photos that Dad scavenged from deserted German homes. He took a gun from a slain German general during his tour of duty with the U.S. Army. He often told us that the American soldiers went into so many houses, and that the Germans knew the Americans were souvenir hunters, so they would booby-trap things. He witnessed someone get killed when they jumped on a motorcycle to start it and it exploded. He collected many bayonets, scabards, swords, photos, 10 guns and the one thing he treasured most--the German luger.
Dad was always there for us... baptisms, high school graduations, dance recitals, weddings, birthdays, births, and deaths. He had a big heart and loved his family more than his own life.
A military funeral was held today, January 16, 2008. A hero for the country and for his family, in more ways than he will ever know. Thank you, sweet Dad. Everything happens for a reason.
At 19, he joined the Army and in 1943, joined the 45th Division, a unit from Oklahoma. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He fought during WWII on Normany Beach.
In the picture I've posted here, he is shown with his war souvenir photographs. Most of them were German propaganda photos that Dad scavenged from deserted German homes. He took a gun from a slain German general during his tour of duty with the U.S. Army. He often told us that the American soldiers went into so many houses, and that the Germans knew the Americans were souvenir hunters, so they would booby-trap things. He witnessed someone get killed when they jumped on a motorcycle to start it and it exploded. He collected many bayonets, scabards, swords, photos, 10 guns and the one thing he treasured most--the German luger.
Dad was always there for us... baptisms, high school graduations, dance recitals, weddings, birthdays, births, and deaths. He had a big heart and loved his family more than his own life.
A military funeral was held today, January 16, 2008. A hero for the country and for his family, in more ways than he will ever know. Thank you, sweet Dad. Everything happens for a reason.
Al Klingele is my Dad and my daughters' Poppie. He passed away from a long illness and complications from diabetes. My father-in-law from my marriage that ended in divorce. Even though, I still consider him "Dad." He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mathilde and his two daughters, Joyce and Laura, and four sons, Ed, Al, Joe and Chris, 13 grandchildren... and now great grandchildren!
At 19, he joined the Army and in 1943, joined the 45th Division, a unit from Oklahoma. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He fought during WWII on Normany Beach.
In the picture I've posted here, he is shown with his war souvenir photographs. Most of them were German propaganda photos that Dad scavenged from deserted German homes. He took a gun from a slain German general during his tour of duty with the U.S. Army. He often told us that the American soldiers went into so many houses, and that the Germans knew the Americans were souvenir hunters, so they would booby-trap things. He witnessed someone get killed when they jumped on a motorcycle to start it and it exploded. He collected many bayonets, scabards, swords, photos, 10 guns and the one thing he treasured most--the German luger.
Dad was always there for us... baptisms, high school graduations, dance recitals, weddings, birthdays, births, and deaths. He had a big heart and loved his family more than his own life.
A military funeral was held today, January 16, 2008. A hero for the country and for his family, in more ways than he will ever know. Thank you, sweet Dad. Everything happens for a reason.
At 19, he joined the Army and in 1943, joined the 45th Division, a unit from Oklahoma. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He fought during WWII on Normany Beach.
In the picture I've posted here, he is shown with his war souvenir photographs. Most of them were German propaganda photos that Dad scavenged from deserted German homes. He took a gun from a slain German general during his tour of duty with the U.S. Army. He often told us that the American soldiers went into so many houses, and that the Germans knew the Americans were souvenir hunters, so they would booby-trap things. He witnessed someone get killed when they jumped on a motorcycle to start it and it exploded. He collected many bayonets, scabards, swords, photos, 10 guns and the one thing he treasured most--the German luger.
Dad was always there for us... baptisms, high school graduations, dance recitals, weddings, birthdays, births, and deaths. He had a big heart and loved his family more than his own life.
A military funeral was held today, January 16, 2008. A hero for the country and for his family, in more ways than he will ever know. Thank you, sweet Dad. Everything happens for a reason.
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