Virgil Joseph "Joe" Klink

Virgil Joseph "Joe" Klink

Franklin, NH - Virgil Joseph "Joe" Klink, a man of faith and dedicated combat veteran, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5th, 2025, at the age of 87, in Franklin, NH. His wife Irene and several of his children were at his side. He was born on Thursday, November 3rd, 1938, in St. Paul, MN, to the late Joseph W. Klink and Loretta M. (Hartzie) Klink. His formative years were in the Minneapolis St Paul area where his family and friends knew him as Butch. Joe's working life started with 21 years in the United States Air Force. After the service, he spent many years in the lumber business where he led and managed stores for Gerrity Building Supply as well as Steenbeke & Sons. Joe was well-respected for his leadership and work ethic both in and out of the military.

Joe was humble about his service. He simply didn't talk much about his time in the Air Force where he served first as an Aircraft Mechanic and then as a C-130 Flight Engineer. As an engineer, he demonstrated exceptional skill and bravery on many missions. On one particular combat mission in Vietnam as the flight engineer, the aircraft sustained significant damage from enemy ground fire. His actions went above and beyond the normal call of duty, and he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for that mission. During his lengthy career in the Air Force, Joe served overseas at several locations, including a 14-month tour flying in and out of Vietnam. He also served in multiple places here in the states including Pease Air Force Base. It was while serving at Pease that he met and married his wife of 63 years, the former Irene Cote. Together, Joe and Irene continued to serve and grow their family until his retirement in 1977 when Irene had one special retirement present, their youngest son.

Joe found joy in the simple pleasures of life, working tirelessly with his hands and his heart to raise six children in Franklin with Irene after his military retirement. His hobbies were wide- ranging: from skilled home renovation to bird watching, Joe approached life with a strong conviction to do well and live honorably. Joe's legacy is carried on by his beloved wife, Irene T. (Cote) Klink of Franklin, NH, and their six children: Christine Klink of New London, NH; Robin Grevior and her husband Jason of Franklin, NH; Ernest Klink and his wife Sandy of Cocoa, FL; Roger Klink and his wife Julie of Gilford, NH; Todd Klink and his wife Stephanie of Cortland, OH; Jon Klink and his wife Jamie of Wasilla, AK. He is also survived by his brother, Larry Klink and his wife Roxanne, his stepbrother Frank Malinowski Jr., and his fifteen grandchildren: Alexander Klink, Tyler Ryne Klink and his wife Saskia, Nicholas Grevior, Victoria Klink, Jessica Klink Knesnik and her husband Tim, Haley Anne Klink, Nathan Grevior, Paige Laurette Klink, Ryan Grevior and his wife Michelle, Zachary Joseph Klink, Chloe Hernandez, James Klink, Cora Klink, Ava Klink, Daniel Klink, and Ajax Klink, and his two great-grandchildren, Payton Grace Klink and Grace Noelle Grevior. Joe was predeceased by his parents Joeseph and Loretta, his stepmother Bernie Klink, his stepfather Frank Malinowski Sr., brothers Richard and James, sisters Chloe and Judy, and his daughter-in-law, Tamara Noelle Klink.

Visitation will be held at Thibault-Neun Funeral Home in Franklin, NH, on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Paul Church in Franklin, NH, on Thursday, December 11th, 2025, at 11:00 am. Following the Mass, a graveside service with full military honors will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH, at 1:00 pm.

Joe and his wife Irene generously donated to many faith organizations. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Salesian Missions (www.salesianmissions.org), St Joseph's Indian School (https://give.stjo.org), or St Jude's (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html), three of their favorites.

Arrangements are under the care of Neun Funeral Homes, www.neunfuneralhomes.com. Joe's life was one well-lived, marked by love, honor, and dedication. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege to know him.