Ronald Kling

RONALD LEROY KLING, age 88, died July 8, 2017 at Heroes Harbor Hospice at Louis Stokes Veterans Medical Center after battling brain cancer since May 2016. He was born June 19, 1929 to the late Carl and Dorothy (nee Kokart) Kling in Aurora, IL. Ron graduated from Marmion Military Academy and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1952.  While he was in the Air Force, Joan D. Crawford participated in a church pen pal program supporting veterans. She wrote to Ron and through this exchange established a bond. They were married on September 12, 1953.

Ron was a very active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Usher, and Christ Renews His Parish participant and team member.  He was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. God was always in his vocabulary, setting the prime example of “… it’s never wrong if it’s in service of the Lord.”

Ron graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ron eventually moved to Georgia where he worked as an Electrical Engineer for the Coca-Cola Company and retired in 1992.

Ron’s hobbies included model railroading and traveling the United States via car, train and river boat. He belonged to several travel groups and model railroading clubs in Aurora, Gainesville, and Cleveland. He was outgoing, loved to have a good time and enjoyed sharing his life experiences.

Ron was a family oriented, spiritual, faithful and charismatic person. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Ron is survived by his children Terence Kling of GA, John Kling of GA, Scott Kling (wife Shannon) of SC, and Suzanne Rudy (husband Christopher) of OH; grandchildren Nicholas Garrett, Vincent Rudy, Zachary Rudy, Jacob Kling, and Kiley Kling; his sister Dawn Trail (husband Ben) of GA and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ron is preceded in death by his wife Joan Kling (nee Crawford) who died in 2000 and his son Gary Kling who died in 2004.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ron’s memory to the Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving Texas 75015-2079 (www.scouting.org/); Hero’s Harbor Hospice C/O Louis Stokes Veterans 10701 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 (www.cleveland.va.gov/giving/E_Donate.asp); or Marmion Abbey, 1000 Butterfield Rd., Aurora, IL 60502

Graveside Service Friday, July 21, 2017 at 12:30 PM at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 278 Ashland Avenue Aurora, IL 60505. Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 3740 Holtzclaw Road, Cumming, GA 30041. Family will receive visitors from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.