Kenneth Wayne Caplinger, 92, of Newburgh, IN passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019 at home surrounded by his wife of 71 years, his daughters, and their families. He was born in Moberly, MO on July 25, 1927 to the late Frederick and Anna Atterbury Caplinger.
At age 10, Kenneth and his family moved to the south side of Chicago, and he graduated from Hirsch High School. He was a master carpenter for over 54 years and after retiring, worked as the in-house carpenter for Olympia Fields Hospital. He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving with WWII on the USS Roche. His ship was hit by mines and went down near Japan. Kenneth was a member of the American Legion Post #44 and Veterans for Foreign Wars U.S. Post #3418. He attended the Honor Flight in April of 2016 with much encouragement from his granddaughter, Jessica Ryan Delgado who was his sponsor. This trip was a bright light in his life, as he suffered from severe COPD and never wanted to inconvenience anyone. Kenneth and his wife, Constance “Connie” moved to Newburgh in 2001 when their daughter, Christina, opened the Deaconess Women’s Hospital as CEO.
In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Caplinger.
Surviving Kenneth are his wife of 71 years, Constance Mandarino Caplinger; daughters, Denise Caplinger Paciorek (Jeff) of Lowell, IN, Christina Caplinger Ryan (Ron) of Newburgh, IN; grandchildren, Kenneth Paciorek, Daniel Paciorek (Una), Jessica Ryan Delgado (Casey), Jennifer Ryan, Matthew Ryan; great-grandchild, Tyler Paciorek; sister, Norma Jean Caplinger Nelson; nieces, Susie, Lynne, Deanna and Ginger; and nephews, Michael, Tommy, Todd, Scott, Edward and Fred.
Funeral Services will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road, Highland, IN with entombment in Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Glenwood, IL. Friends may visit 3-7 p.m. Monday at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, IN and 10:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at Kuiper Funeral Home in Highland, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, 700 Bellemeade Avenue, Evansville, IN 47713.
