GUY KLINGER, MAIL CARRIER and GRATZ FAIR OFFICIAL DIED THURSDAY at GRATZ
Served as Rural Mail Carrier for Lykens, R. D., for Forty Years, and a secretary of the Gratz Fair Association for thirty-four years.
Guy R. Klinger, a resident of Lykens for the past twenty-seven years, died last Thursday at the home of his sister, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Umholtz in Gratz.
Unwell the past several months he sought relief in hospitals in Harrisburg and Allentown. He grew gradually weaker and was removed from his home in Gratz to that of his sister where he passed away.
He was son of the late Daniel S. Klinger and wife nee Elizabeth Erdman. He was born in Gratz, 1 February 1889, bringing his age to 59 years.
Survivors are his wife, Carrie Elizabeth Klinger, and one daughter, Lois D. Klinger, at home; also by three sisters and one brother, Miss Ursula Klinger, Gratz, Eston Klinger, Oaklyn, New Jersey, Mae Klinger [Mrs. C. R. Klinger], Spring Glen, star route, and Fae Klinger [Mrs. Walter Umholtz] of Gratz.
Mr. Klinger enjoyed a great popularity throughout this entire region. He resided in Lykens because of his travels as the mail carrier for Lykens R. D. which post he filled for forty years. He would have retired in January next.
He served continuously for thirty-four years as corresponding secretary for the Gratz Agricultural and Horticultural Association and was able to visualize a number of improvements he successfully planned and put into use. Taking the job as fair manager when the grounds consisted of twelve acres and was instrumental in the purchase of an additional twenty-six acres, bringing the present acreage to thirty-eight acres. The first of the general improvements occurring about ten years ago when the race track was removed from the front of the grounds and a new track of average width of 45 feet with a “home stretch” of 60 feet constructed. The grandstand was replaced and an additional wing built to it.
The midway was greatly enlarged, new stables and a green house erected, and the past year, he saw the erection of a new ornamental fence along the entire south side of the grounds.
Mr. Klinger was well thought of by all his business associated, as well as by all who resided on his mail route throughout his career.
He served as vice president of the State Fair Association for many years and enjoyed great acclaim by the membership and of those his position with the local fair placed him in business association.
He was a member of Simeon’s Lutheran Church, Gratz; a veteran of World War I; the Gratz Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wiconisco; the Gratz Fair Board; the State Fair Association; the Elks, Sunbury for upwards of twenty-five years.
Military funeral services were held at the Umholtz residence, Gratz, Sunday at 2 p.m. Rev. W. Z. Artz officiating. Burial took place in the Gratz Union Cemetery.
Marlin S. Reed was in charge of the arrangements.
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Photo and text of obituary from a local newspaper at the time of his death.
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