Charles L. "Chuck" Klingaman

1947 - 2021

Charles L. "Chuck" Klingaman, 74, of Hometown ended his journey on Earth Tuesday in St. Luke's University Hospital-Bethlehem after a courageous battle with COVID-19.

Born in Palmerton on July 26, 1947, he was the son of the late Catherine Elizabeth "Liz" (Hirsch) and William K. Klingaman Sr..

Charles was also predeceased by brother, William K. Klingaman Jr., in 2009; and a baby sister.

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife, Catherine (Cicula) Klingaman, formerly from Hazleton, who has been by his side for 43 years of marriage; daughter, Valerie Klingaman and her fiancé, Sean Skeath, Quakake; brother, Wayne Klingaman and his wife, Terri, Owl Creek; sister-in-law, Olivia "Libby" Klingaman, Tamaqua; nephew, Eric Klingaman; a godson, Christopher Klingaman and his wife, Kristen; nieces, Lisa Nallon and her husband, Brian; and Jill Reilly and her husband, Daniel; godson, David Naiko; 12 great-nieces/nephews; and cousins, Janeen Konnyu and husband, Rob, Delaware; and Janet Hirsch, Newton Falls, Ohio.

Chuck was a lifelong resident of Tamaqua, where he graduated from Tamaqua High School, Class of 1965. He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, and a life member of American Hose Company, Tamaqua.

Chuck and his brothers owned and operated the Klingaman Office Supply business located in Tamaqua, which they took over ownership and daily operation of when their father became a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1972. The brothers expanded Klingaman's Office Supply to a Pottsville location and remained in business until late 2016. After retiring in 2016, he and his wife Cathy opened Penn Train and Hobby LLC, Pottsville, as a semi-retirement venture.

Chuck was very active in the Masonic Fraternity, both locally and statewide. He was a member of Tamaqua Lodge #238, where he served as past master in 1978 and again in 1984. He served as a district deputy grand master from 1998 to 2004 for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He was a member of Tamaqua Royal Arch Chapter #177, where he was a past high priest, then served as a district deputy grand high priest from 1990 to 1996. He served the state of Pennsylvania as most excellent grand high priest from 2013 to 2014, where he and his wife, Cathy, enjoyed many trips throughout the state and visiting neighboring states representing Pennsylvania. He was a past commander of Ivanhoe Commandery #31; a past thrice illustrious master of Anthracite Council #62, Hazleton; and a past master of Keystone Frei Maurer Mark Lodge No 400, Reading.

He was a member of Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, where he served as commander-in-chief from 2018 to 2019. He was coronated a 33rd degree Master Mason in Aug. of 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Other Masonic affiliations include member Schuylkill Council No 265 Allied Masonic Degrees; Erin Council #6 Knight-Masons; PA York Rite College #11, Shamokin; Red Cross of Constantine - St James Conclave, Shamokin; Penn Priory No. 6 , Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH), Northeast Council #74 Knight Masons, Hazleton.

Chuck enjoyed summers at the family cabin on Lake Wallenpaupack with his faithful yellow lab, Holly.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 655 East Broad St., Tamaqua.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Cindy White to officiate. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday.

Masonic services will be at 7 p.m. Monday.

Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua.

Memorials in Chuck's name can be made to Grand Chapter of PA, in Memory of C.L.K. (Please designate a Ronald McDonald House of your choice), 1 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19104; or Ruth Steinert Memorial S.P.C.A., 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove, PA 17963.

Condolences or a fond memory of Chuck can be sent by visiting www

.griffithsfuneralhomes

.com.