Carl Emery Klinger

Tidewell Hospice, Venice, Florida on March 19, 2020 with his wife Susan by his side. He was a

member of Grace United Methodist Church, Venice, Florida and prior member of West Lawn

United Methodist Church, West Lawn, PA.

Born March 18, 1936 in Gratz, PA, he was the son of Charles O. and Helen (Steely) Klinger.

He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years Sylvia (Clark) Klinger, who passed on Dec. 22,

2002. They were married on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 27, 1958.

He is survived by his daughters Susan Rhoads, wife of Kenneth Rhoads Jr. of West Reading,

PA and Donna Antle, wife of Charles (Chuck) Antle III of Hillsborough, NC, and two stepsons

Jim (wife Sandy) Lowery of Venice, FL, and Derek (wife Amy) Lowery of Venice, FL.

He was Poppop to grandchildren Carly (Loeper), wife of Erik Baumann, Fairhaven, MA;

Kimberly (Loeper) wife of Jayson Redden, Portland, OR; Sarah (Loeper) wife of Richard

Kaplinski, Morrisville, PA; Charles (Cage) Antle IV, partner of Angela Bischof, Las Cruces, NM;

Melanie Antle, Greensboro, NC; and Korinne Rhoads, Pittsburgh, PA. He was “PaPa Carl” to

two step-granddaughters, Anna and Sara Lowery, Venice, FL. He was “Great” Poppop to Daisy

Jane and Sylvia Baumann, Fairhaven, MA.

Carl is survived by sister Irene (spouse Waldo) Asp, Stone Lake, WI, and brother Mark Klinger,

Tonto Basin, AZ. He is predeceased by brothers Harold and Larry Klinger and sister Alice

Henry.

He loved and was loved by many aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and great

nieces and great nephews with whom he had close relationships.

Carl loved watching sports, especially watching Duke basketball, Philadelphia teams Phillies

and Eagles and then Tampa Bay Rays. Beginning from when he was in the Navy and then with

close friends “card clubs” and family, he enjoyed playing card games such as pinochle, poker,

hasenpfeffer, hands and feet, and Sequence. He enjoyed annual beach vacations with his

family and friends to Rehobeth Beach, DE and NJ beaches.

He attended West Reading schools and graduated in 1954 from Shillington High School. He

was a natural athlete, participating in various team sports.

After high school graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and became a radioman attached to

VP-44 stationed at Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA from mid 1955-1957.

On Nov. 11, 1956 he was part of a crew that crashed on takeoff in the Azores, Portugal, which

resulted in the loss of four crew members.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he completed numerous banking and real estate

courses, attaining his real estate license, and subsequently worked at Reading Trust, Peoples

Trust, and Penn Title, Vice President.

Knowing his keen business sense and love of beer, it was no surprise when he left his position

at Penn Title to become owner/operator of Shillington Beverage Co. beer distributor. He then

moved on to become co-owner/operator of C.C. Beverage Co., Kenhorst, PA and lastly owner/

operator of AJ Beverages, Stowe, PA. Carl knew the true meaning of service and treated his

customers as friends.

Working in Stowe, Montgomery County, PA prompted Carl and wife Sylvia to relocate from

Sinking Spring to Birdsboro, PA to be closer to their business. Their home with a pool in

Birdsboro was named “Hotel Sunshine” where they hosted many memorable gatherings for

family and friends.

Upon Carl’s retirement, he and Sylvia moved to Venice, FL making many dear friends.

Carl and Sylvia felt that life was meant to be shared, and after her passing Carl married Linda

Losure. He then divorced Linda and after several years married Susan Will Bensen on February

13, 2016. Carl and Susan shared a love of sports, card games, good food, wine and beer,

travel, love of family and friends, and especially their faith. They took many trips together

traveling to attend events of friends and family, lastly visiting east coast baseball stadiums

crossing off his destination “bucket list”.

Carl was a member of the Island Walk Bocce team who appropriately named him “Great Balls

of Fire”! His team won the championship several years in a row which he was so proud.

Carl’s becoming smile and infectious laugh were proof that he enjoyed living life to the fullest

and demonstrated he was not afraid of “hard work”, always setting a loving and positive

example and advising to “make hay while the sun shines”.

A celebration of Carl's life will be held on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 391 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606, with military honors and Rev. Dr. Robert Aregood officiating .

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aumansinc.com for the Klinger family.