Blytheville deacon known as artist, music lover

Published: January 25, 2017

Deacon Kenneth Klingler

Deacon Kenneth Klingler

Deacon Kenneth A. Klingler, who served Immaculate Conception Church in Blytheville since his ordination in 2002, died Jan. 15. He was 73.

Klingler was born in Adrian, Mich., to Arlie and Glendora Ferguson Klingler. He worked as a supervisor for American Greetings Inc. in Osceola. Even before his diaconate ordination, he served Immaculate Conception in many ways including as a lector, cantor, Eucharistic minister and a Scripture study leader.

In a 2002 Arkansas Catholic article ahead of his ordination, Klingler said he had a “nagging call to serve in ordained ministry which I have never been able to explain.” He was member of the Knights of Columbus.

In his free time, he was a portrait artist, using graphite, charcoal and colored pencil, the article stated. Klingler had a love for music and enjoyed working as a DJ at KOSE 860 AM radio.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Valdez Klingler; two sons, Kenneth Klingler Jr. of Denver and Joseph Klingler of Blytheville; one daughter, Crisanta Klingler of Denver; one stepdaughter, Debra Thompson of Tennessee; one brother, Eric Klingler of Hillsdale, Mich.; and three grandchildren.

A rosary and visitation was held Jan. 24 and a Mass of Christian Burial Jan. 25.