FORT SCOTT — Charles Edward “Charlie” Klenklen, 80, Fort Scott, died Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. 

He was born Aug. 18, 1930, in South Mound the son of Odelia Joseph and Chrystie Mable Singleton Klenklen.

He married Flora Fern Beeney on Oct. 10, 1953, in Erie. Flora preceded him in death on July 21, 1981. He married Mary Ann Sager Worthington in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 28, 1991. 

Mr. Klenklen owned and operated Klenklen’s Garage in Uniontown for many years. He later worked at several car dealerships in Bourbon County and eventually retired self-employed. 

He attended Cherry Grove Baptist Church. He served in the Army in combat during the Korean War. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, where he was once commander. He was also a member of the 279th Infantry Association and the 45th Infantry Division Association. His passion and commitment to the United States military was strong throughout his life.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, of the home; two daughters, Carol Piornack and her husband, Nick, of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Joyce Tassi and her husband, Dennis, of Arma; three stepchildren, Dwight Worthington and his wife, Marita, of Pocatello, Idaho, Dewayne Worthington and his wife, Gina, of Mulberry and Charlotte Shireman and her husband, Greg, of Republic, Mo.; two grandchildren, Morgan Edwards Whaley of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Steven Edwards of Portland, Ore.; six stepgrandsons, Jeff Tassi of Pittsburg, Scott Tassi of Arma, Andrew Shireman of Mulberry, Stephen Shireman of Republic, Mo., and Tyler and Casey Worthington of Mulberry; two great-grandsons, Charlie and Jackson Whaley; a stepgranddaughter, Alexis Piornack of Little Rock, Ark.; a stepgreat-grandson, Brayden Tassi; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Vincent of Claremont, Fla.; and siblings, Georgia Shively of Raymore, Mo., Eva Mullen of Springfield, Mo., Rosemary Schmid and Jeanie Wise, both of Parsons, and Odie V. Klenklen of Erie; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He also was preceded in death by a son, Charles Rodney Klenklen; a sister, Regina Lero; a brother, Robert (Bob) Klenklen; as well as his parents.

The Rev. Dale Cummins will conduct a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the U.S. National Cemetery at Fort Scott. 

Memorials are suggested to either the Sharing Bucket, Combat Infantrymen’s Association, or the Disabled American Veterans and may be sent to the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, 66701. 

Online condolences may be left at cheneywitt.com.