Klinke

John Francis Klinke, 67, of Shrewsbury Township, York County, died Monday at York Hospital.

Mr. Klinke was born in Worth, Ill., on April 24, 1944, a son of the late Edward and Veronica (Merkel) Klinke.

He was a schoolteacher in Cleveland, Ohio, was a dispatcher for the 911 emergency center in Butler County for 17 years, and retired in 2003 from Vision Quest in Franklin and South Mountain. After that, he worked part time as a life guard at the Southern York County YMCA.

Mr. Klinke was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in New Freedom, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a 1962 graduate of Royal Oak Kimball High School in Royal Oak, Mich., and was a graduate of Cleveland (Ohio) State University. He loved boating, spending time with his grandchildren, was an avid reader, and a caring person. He served in the Merchant Marines.

He was the husband of Janice L. Klinke. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Aug. 8, 2010.

Mr. Klinke leaves two daughters, Kristina K. Spies and her husband, James, of Red Lion, and Heather L. Klinke of Baltimore; two grandchildren, Mason and Harper Spies; a brother, James Klinke and his wife, Mary, of Gregory, Mich.; a sister, Margaret Torongo and her husband, Thomas, of Gregory; and many nieces and nephews.

<B>KLINKE —</B> A funeral liturgy for John Francis Klinke, who died Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, with a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. The Rev. Bernard Wamayose and the Rev. Mr. Michael Bahn will officiate.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southern York County YMCA, 100 Constitution Ave., Box 263, Shrewsbury, PA 17361 or Catholic Charities, 320 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD, 21201. Please send condolences to @BestLifeTributes.com.