Clarence Kieninger

Clarence Kieninger, 96, of Pocahontas passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born Feb. 11, 1917, near Pocahontas to Martin C. and Matilda Bellman Kieninger. He was baptized, confirmed and attended Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas. He and Nell Kayser of Oak Ridge were married Sept. 27, 1942. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last September.

Upon graduating from Pocahontas High School, he worked on the family farm until enlisting in the U.S. Army on June 6, 1941.

Clarence served the majority of his military career with Company F, 63rd Infantry, 6th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart while fighting in the Philippines. In addition, he was entitled to wear two Bronze Star Campaign Medals for campaigns in New Guinea and Luzon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, four Overseas Bars, American Defense Service Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged Sept. 29, 1945, with the rank of staff sergeant.

After World War II, he returned to farming in Pocahontas. Because of health issues, he left farming for a position as a maintenance engineer in a school system in northern Illinois, residing there nine years before retiring in 1983.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Nell of Pocahontas; three children, Douglas (Jane) Kieninger of Cincinnati, Ohio, Torrey (Jim) Clark of Houston and Charles "Bud" (Katrina) Kieninger of Leesburg, Va.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elvira (the late Loren) Cutter and Lavera (Elmer) Barlow of Dillsboro, Ind.; six nieces; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 10 a.m. to time of service Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Virgil Kelm officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with graveside military honors provided.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or Jackson Senior Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.