Gerald "Jerry" Mark Klingler
July 14, 1936 ~ March 20, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Mr. Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler, who transitioned peacefully in his sleep on March 20, 2025, at the age of 89. He brought immeasurable joy and light into our lives with his kind heart, steadfast faith, and enormous capacity to love.
Gerald was born on July 14, 1936, in Detroit, Mich., to Carabelle Allen and Wright Klingler. We take joy in knowing he has reunited in death with his wife Sharon (Wilson) Klingler, identical brother Harold Klingler, big brother Bill Klingler, and daughter Lori Chittendon, who is survived by her beloved husband Geno Chittendon of Southport.
Gerald moved to Columbus in 1973 as a jeweler for Shiffrin-Williams Jewelry (now Max’s Jewelry on Washington St.). He proudly retired from Cummins Engine Company, where he was a cherished employee. He attended St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Hobbies included working security for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turning the backyard into a hobby farm, and photography.
Mr. Klingler is survived by his daughters Catherine (Paul) Klingler of Columbus, Michelle Nelson of Winamac, Tonya Schneider of Reno, Nev., Krista Spencer of Phenix City, Ala.; sons Daniel Klingler (Jay Langhurst) of Dallas, Tex., Bryan (Cherie) Klingler of Columbus and Edward (Lauri Ray) Hendershot of Hope. Surviving grandson and best friend Dallas Klingler; grandchildren Ashlee (Joseph) Maze, Michael Chittendon, Brooke and Derrik Waltz, and Cassie Schneider; great-grandchildren Izzy, Abigail, and Jude Maze. A former president of the Indiana Foster Care Association. Gerald and his wife fostered 42 children—each one they loved and considered their own.
The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church (1306 27th St., Columbus, IN 47201). Fr. Clement Davis will officiate. Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 9 a.m. to the time of service at the church. Entombment at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Michigan, will follow at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home (3855 25th St, Columbus, IN 47203). Flowers and condolences should be received by April 4, 2025.
Additional condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at www.weremember.com/gerald-mark-klingler/0d0a/memories.
You are invited to view his video tribute, light a virtual candle of remembrance, and leave a condolence message for the family online at www.jewellrittman.com.
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Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
1 file added to the album GMK
Edward & Lauri Hendershot lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klinger! Always in our hearts!
Tris B. planted a Memorial Tree in honor of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler.
Andy Bowman Here –
I share my condolences to the entire family of Jerry. I am a Fellow Yellowshirt Supervisor at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and worked with Jerry for several years – and he was a good man. Prayers go out to his entire family.
Many Yellowshirts will place their condolences and comments on our Yellowshirts Of IMS Group Page.
Rest In Peace Jerry – And Save Us All A Seat At The Most Important Victory Table Of Salvation For Our Feast When We All Unite In Heaven!
🙏🏻🏁❤️🏁🙏🏻
You are all welcome to join us there to view those comments by following this weblink:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CHH6dEjrH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Here is the correct link for the post on Yellowshirts Of IMS Page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16JNKjGcF4/?
How Beautiful, Thank you for doing this as it is comforting to see all the people that Dad loved and loved him. Dad was so proud of his time with all of you. We used to sit in front of the TV, during televised events trying to take pictures of Jerry when he was onscreen. Dallas, his grandson loved every moment he spent there with him and all of you. Dallas said to say thank you as well.
❤️
For a time, I rode in with Jerry & other to the track when I lived on the Southside of Indy. I offered many times money for gas but he would not take it. Eventhough our rides were very early in the morning, they were always special. As a Yellow Shirt & eventually a Gold Badge, Jerry helped me along the way. Always kind. You could sence his servant’s heart.
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler.
Jerry was a warm, kind & wonderful person, I begin working security in 2005, being a high anxiety person, Jerry made me feel at home and eased my stress. He made me feel valued, he even attended a wrestling event I participated in. Jerry enjoyed getting the latest electronic devices & gadgets, photography related and otherwise. I remember him telling me about his lake patrol in Michigan and his twin brother whom he sadly lost many decades ago, also his jewelry store managing years back, the reasons that brought him to Columbus, Indiana. His adventures in security for years at the Speedway leading into the Indy 500. He was very proud of his family, including his kids & discussed what fascinating things they were doing in their occupations. He was one of a kind & will be sorely missed by many. I am so grateful for knowing and working with him those years. I believe he is with God, whom he faithfully served.
Dallas said that was wonderful and made him cry a little, good cry. Thank you Steve.
Jerry you will missed by so many. I remember you always said a Prayer for me.
I really appreciated that. You were one of the kindest man I ever met bar none. R.I.P. my friend. Prayer for your family.
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
This is from Paul Klingler.
Sent a gift in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
Love, Laura, Luis, Patricia and Ciella purchased the Enchanted Cottage for the family of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler.
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Sending our thoughts and prayers! We will miss him at IMS! Hugs!
Mike & Jackie Baas
Mike & Jackie Baas
He was the 1st one to welcome us to the neighborhood and became instant friends he told me about his children and how very Proud he was of all of them. I loved sitting outside on his front porch with him when it was warm and when it got too cold outside we would watch Fox News or football games we even watched when they opened the Notre Dame Jerry even helped me out spiritually after my wife passed away We had a lot of talks I will miss him, immensely he used to say you’re my brother from another mother and he was my brother Godspeed, my friend
5 files added to the album GMK
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerry’s family. My wife, kids, and I met Jerry at church, where we sat in the back row for years. Jerry was the first to welcome us, and we often chatted with him and Dallas after service. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Jerry.
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
Many from IMS! We will miss him!
Sending our thoughts and prayers!
Mike & Jackie Baas
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler
Lit a candle in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Mark Klingler