Obituary of James C. Klingensmith, Sr.

James C. Klingensmith Sr., 73, of Bear, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care after a long battle with cancer. Jim previously resided in Mendon, Massachusetts, Millville, New Jersey, Pennsville, New Jersey, and Bradenton and Ellenton, Florida, before moving to Bear in 2011. Born on June 19, 1939, in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James E. Klingensmith and the late Stella M. Klingensmith. He was the husband of Ruth Ann (Youker) Klingensmith. Jim and Ruth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March, 2012. Jim is survived by his children, Christina Ann Evans and her spouse, Melinda Evans, of Templeton, Mass.; Ruth Ann Gurney of Douglas, Mass.; and James C. Klingensmith and his wife, Kate, of Newark, Delaware. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Christopher and Coulter Benner, Matthew, Dylan and Maggie Gurney, and Erin, Colin and Sydney Klingensmith. Jim also leaves several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jim retired from St. Gobain Glass Company in 2002, after 43 years in the bottle-making industry. He also served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era. He was an avid fisherman and spent much time fishing in the bay. He also enjoyed woodworking, bowling and shooting pool. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday Oct 9, at the Laughrey Funeral Home, Pennsville, NJ where friends may call from 9:00 to 10:00 AM prior to the service. Burial will follow at the First Baptist Cemetery, Salem, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 220 Continental Drive, Newark, DE 19713.