Henry Kielman

Henry Gale Kielman, 79, was born June 11, 1941 to Herbert Frank Heinrich Kielman and Jewel Faye (Blankinship) Kielman in Killeen, Texas. Henry passed away on March 23rd 2021 at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas. Both of Henry’s parents were born in the Killeen area.

During his childhood, the family moved to Houston, Texas to seek medical care for Henry's speech difficulties. Later they returned to Killeen where his father was a home builder and taught Henry the trade. As an adult, Henry was an excellent carpenter and worked for many years for his cousin, Wayne Cosper, of Cosper Construction Company. Later, Henry worked for Federal Civil Service at Fort Hood for over 20 years and retired in 2001.

He was a very kind-hearted and giving man who volunteered at Killeen Food Care Center for several years and earned the Presidential Award for Volunteering two years in a row. Henry loved helping others, he mowed grass (at no cost) for older citizens and worked at the church wherever needed. Henry was a member of the Grace Lutheran Men’s Club for many years, served as an usher and loved helping with Sunday School.

Henry loved his mother deeply and spoke of her often. Henry loved God with all his heart and was prepared for his call when it came.

Henry's paternal great-grandfather was the Reverend H.F. Daude. Upon graduation and ordination from seminary, Rev. Daude was given the choice of where he wished to go; he chose America and founded Immanuel Lutheran Church (ILC) in Killeen, where Henry worshipped. Henry's maternal great-grandfather, John Wesley Blankinship and his wife owned and operated a gas station and store on the banks of Clear Creek until their land was condemned by the government in 1943 to build Fort Hood. At the time, John commented that since he had no sons to fight in World War II, he would give his land for the cause.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Larry Frank, and two sisters, Barbara Ann Kielman Moss and Margaret Marie (Margie) Kielman DesGroseilliers. He is survived by one niece and several nephews. He is also survived by numerous cousins and friends, especially Barry and Pam Birchard, who accepted Henry as family and cared for him for many years. Henry lived in Garden Estates Assisted Living facility in Temple, where he felt loved and cared for by the entire staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Killeen TX in Henry’s honor.