William A. Klem
June 22, 1925 - May 17, 2008

William 'Bill' A. Klem age 82 of Washington passed away on Saturday at 10:10 PM at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. He was born on June 22, 1925 in Jasper to Peter and Mary (Wigand) Klem. He was a 54 year member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles# 414 where he was a past president, and served 50 years as a Zone 4 Treasure ( a feat never before accomplished) He was inducted on June 24, 2006 to the Indiana State Eagles "Hall of Fame". He served in the US Marine during WWII. He belonged to the Washington American Legion and was a life member of the VFW. He worked for Sears for 42 years, was an avid fisherman and loved playing cards. Surviving are his wife Verna (Tomey-Allen) Klem whom he married on March 28, 1955; four daughters and sons in-law, Karen and Morris Petty of Washington, Jane and Jimmy Arthur of Seymour, IN., Barbara Petty of Washington, Sharon and Richard Walford of Washington; one son Arlen B. Allen of Loogootee; thirteen grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; one sister and brother in-law Anna and John Curtis of Hayden, ID.; and one brother, Basil Klem of Fountain Valley, CA. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Judith Gail Klem; one grandson, Jimmy Arthur; and six bothers, Charles, August, Edwin, Urban, Robert and Lawrence Klem who just preceded him in death by 12 hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Gordon Mann as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery with military rites by the Washington American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at Ed lee Mortuary with a wake service a 4 pm and Eagles State Ritual Team memorial service at 6 pm Memorial donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society Condolences maybe made online at www.edleemortuary.com

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