Jerald John Klingman, 78, St. Onge, died Thursday, June 23, 2011, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Graveside committal services will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

As written by Jerald Kilingman: I was born September 27, 1932, at Isabel, SD, to John J. and Adeline (Holzworth) Klingman. I grew up on a farm in Isabel. I loved riding horses and loved to be with my childhood friends as we grew and did the "boy" things - driving fast, which I still like to do and of course, there is the beer that I never outgrew.

I loved to hunt all game and especially loved hunting in the Black Hills with my dad. I love to fish and camp, but sometimes there is not enough time to do all you want to do.

As I grew, I got married, joined the army and went to Korea, and had a beautiful daughter.

Walking my only daughter down the aisle is the hardest thing to do, giving her to another. But all was well as my first grandchild was born. Boy, things change in three years, from being an apartment manager to working on Bonneville Dam and getting a divorce. It wasn't too long as I sowed my wild oats I found my wife of 31 years. We moved back and forth from Washington State to South Dakota. I had many jobs in Washington, including a contractor working on repo homes. We lived on the coast in Westport, walked the beach, crabbed, fished, and listened to the waves at night crashing onto the shore. But in the end, we ended up in South Dakota. We thrived with our family even though we had our ups and downs. But love makes you forgive.

My dogs and cats make me happy as a clam. They love unconditionally, and I love to snuggle with them.

I have lived a good life in 78 years, done pretty much what I wanted, found the love of my life, who I will always worry about whether in this life or the next. But she will thrive. My greatest regret is that family cannot get along, but maybe there is a reason. I will always watch over them, giving them a little poke when needed. Remember, I will be at peace with no pain, watching over you and waiting with open arms till we meet again.

Survivors include his wife, Pam Klingman, St. Onge; one daughter, Joanne (Bill) Freund, Henderson, NV; two grandchildren, Michael and Mark; one great-granddaughter; and one sister, Fern (Mickey) Bergstrom, St. Onge.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Marvin.