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John Maynard Klingaman Sr., 84

John Maynard Klingaman Sr., 84, of Rathdrum, Idaho, went home to be with the Lord on June 7, 2019, at Kootenai Health, from complications of a stroke.

John was born to Ernest and Ethel Klingaman, on June 25, 1934, in Richland Center, Wis. In John’s early years, he lived and worked on farms around Richland Center, attended a one-room schoolhouse and tried to help keep his younger brother, Gene, out of trouble. At age 17, John joined the Air Force and served from 1951-1955. John got motion sickness easily, and as luck would have it, was stationed in Casablanca and traveled there and back on a naval ship.

While stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, he met Darlene Liberty at the Post Café in Post Falls, Idaho. They fell in love and were married in November of 1955. Together they raised their three children in Rathdrum, and eventually moved to Portland, Ore., in 1972, as John became the terminal manager of the International Transport’s new office, and they moved back to Idaho in 1978.

John held many jobs throughout his life, but for the majority of the time, he was in the transportation field. He was a long-haul truck driver, an owner and operator of numerous big rigs, and he finally retired as dispatcher and terminal manager.

In his earlier years, John loved to farm, hunt and go camping. During his retirement years, he would travel to Arizona and Texas for the winters. He always looked forward to the big Klingaman family reunion in Richland Center every 3-5 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his five brothers: Don, Dale, Bill, Rex and Gene; and his beloved wife, Darlene, of 44 years. He is survived by daughters, Vicki (Ron) Gibson of Vancouver, Wash., Laura Bonner of Lewiston, Idaho, and son, John (Diane) Klingaman of Rathdrum; six grandchildren: Jasen Davis, Amy Downs, Aaron (Corrie) Bonner, Luke (Alexa) Bonner, Bryan (Christy) Klingaman and Brittany (Jacob) Burrows; along with seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

John’s family was very important to him. He was a loving and loyal husband, father, grandpa and friend who was deeply loved and respected by all. He was a hard worker and always provided for his family.

John was a very loving and faithful Christian with a strong Godly character. When John committed his life to the Lord in the mid 1960s, he was all in to serve the Lord. John was a faithful and humble servant who helped all in need who came across his path. John and Darlene were part of the founding members that started Rathdrum Bible Church. John most recently attended Real Life Ministries in Post Falls.

His family and friends are grieving now, but they have peace because they know they will see John again in Heaven, and they know the Lord said to him as he entered His presence, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” — Matthew 25:21.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Gideons International at www.gideons.org/donate.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Real Life Ministries (RLM2), 1860 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls, and a graveside will follow at Pinegrove Cemetery, 6693 W. Highway 53, in Rathdrum, with a potluck reception at Rathdrum Senior Citizen Center, 8037 Montana St.

Please visit John’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com and leave a message of condolence. English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls, has been entrusted with arrangements.