Trending
CHAMPION -- Elmer R. Klinger, also known as Russ, 96, formerly of West Farmington, made his journey home to his Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.
He was born on April 15, 1929, in Cleveland, to Rudolf and Hanna Hansen Klinger, both German immigrants. Russ was raised by his uncle and aunt, Onkle Fritz and Tante Hulda Klinger Schlacht, also German immigrants.
Russ graduated from Chesterland School in 1947 and attended Kent State University. While in high school during WW2, Russ was involved in the Civil Air Patrol.
At the start of the Korean War in 1950, Russ enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas, where he was trained as a turret system mechanic working on B-29 bomber airplanes. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and came back home to work on the family farm.
At a Grange meeting in 1954, he met his sweetheart, Margaret Farmer. They were married May 21, 1955; and they enjoyed 66 years of marriage before her passing on June 26, 2021. They were a team throughout the years.
In 1956, Russ became the rural mail carrier for the West Farmington Post Office. He had the longest rural route in the state of Ohio, traveling 66 miles and through multiple counties each day. In 1967, Russ was appointed as postmaster in West Farmington by President Lyndon B. Johnson, retiring in 1984. Every Christmas Eve, he made sure that all of the mail in the post office was delivered in case it was someone's Christmas present. We never knew when he would get home.
The most important thing in Russ' life was his relationship with the Lord, who was a constant companion and friend, more so after the loss of Margaret. Russ loved his family; he was so proud of each of them and loved spending time with them, especially his grandchildren, Erin and Brian. Russ was an avid gardener, enjoyed woodworking and writing poetry and was an all-around handyman, able to fix anything.
Russ was a hard worker at home, at his job and in the church. He was an active member of the Leavittsburg Church of the Nazarene. He was very involved in local and global missions. After retirement, he and Margaret were able to go on six mission trips to Portugal, Paraguay, Jordan, Sicily, Mexico and Brazil, using his handyman skills on each trip.
Left to cherish Russ' memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Paul Daniels of Champion; granddaughter, Erin of Mount Vernon, Ohio; grandson, Brian of Leavittsburg; sister, Joan Anthony of Arizona; sister-in-law, Ethel Flower of Champion; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents; uncle and aunt; beloved wife, Margaret; son, Rusty; brother, Ralph Klinger; and a cousin who was like a brother, Hans Schlacht.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, officiated by Pastor Carol Myers at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, where visitation will take place at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leavittsburg Nazarene Church, 4175 Pendleton Road, Leavittsburg, OH 44430, designated for Alabaster; the money is to be used on mission fields around the world to buy land and build churches, missionary homes and schools.
Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in West Farmington.
(special notice)