MICHAEL B. KLEMPIN SR.

West Frankfort–Michael B. Klempin Sr. 80, of West Frankfort passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 4:38 P.M. at the Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 13, 2010 at the St.Paul's Catholic Church in Johnston City with Msgr. Ken Schaefer officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M.to 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City is in charge of arrangements.

Mike was born on September 29, 1929 in Chicago the son of Bruno and Kate (Rippler) Klempin.

He met Helen Benzek in Chicago and they married on September 26, 1953 in St. Paul's Catholic Church in Johnston City. They had a comfortable life of 55 years together. From this union they were blessed with 3 wonderful children.

Mike attended Lane Technical High School in Chicago. He also served with the U.S. Air Force. He worked for the Penn-Central R.R./Conrail R.R. from 1950 to 1992. His parents emigrated from Austria in the 1920's. Mike and Helen retired to Southern Illinois in 1994. Mike truly loved the small town atmosphere.

He is survived by his wife Helen of West Frankfort; three children, Janet Kay McGann of Davie, FL, Tom Klempin and wife Rita of Reynoldsburg, OH, and Mike Klempin Jr. of West Frankfort; grandchildren, Michael McGann of Orlando, FL, Patrick McGann of Davie, FL,and Tom Klempin Jr. of Tusculum,TN; step-grandchildren, Nathan, Natalie, and Nicholas all of Ohio; sisters-in-law, Agnes and Barbara Benzek of Johnston City; a nephew, Stephen Benzek of Arlington, VA; a niece, Diane Benzek of Decatur; a nephew Matthew and wife Denise and their children, Abigail, and Alec of Madison, AL; brother-in-law, Joe Martinez of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Trudy Martinez.