obituaries

Lawrence Klinke

Godfrey |

Lawrence J. Klinke (93), a longtime local automobile dealer and real estate manager passed away Saturday, January 21, 2017, at OSF St. Clare’s Hospital in Alton, IL.

He was born May 10, 1923 in Alton to the late Lawrence A. and Anna M. (Budde) Klinke.

 He was a veteran of WW II, serving from 1943 – 1946 with the U.S. Air Force in England, France and Germany.

 He married Rosemary Fleming on September 30, 1950 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Alton.

 He was employed for many years at Albrecht Chevrolet in Wood River. In 1967 he purchased and managed the Volkswagen Dealership in Alton and subsequently added the Toyota franchise.  He served as president of the Volkswagen North Central Region Dealer Advisory Council and as a district director of the Chicago Region Toyota Dealer Advertising Association.  After selling his automobile interests, he purchased the Elfgen building in downtown Alton and, as owner, managed the property for 15 years.  He then served as a volunteer business counselor for the SW Illinois chapter of SCORE.

 He was a long-time fisherman and boat owner and a member of the Alton Motor Boat Club and The Yacht Club of St. Louis.  Other interest included the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra where he served on the Steering Committee for many years.

 He is survived by his wife Rosemary (Fleming) Klinke of Godfrey and multiple nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, eight sisters and one brother.

There will be a memorial mass at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Alton on Friday, February 10th at 10am followed by a military burial at Jefferson Barracks at 12:30pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Saints Peter & Paul Church.

Condolences may be found online at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com


Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home

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