WALTONVILLE, Ill.  — Marlin Ray “Klinger” Klingler, 72, of Waltonville, Illinois, passed away at 12:50 am June 4, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon.

He was born July 17, 1950, in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late Kenneth and Emelia (Betlejewski) Klingler. Marlin married Gayla (Clark) Klingler on September 20, 1975 in at Saint Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

In addition to his beloved wife of forty-eight years, Marlin is survived by his son, Brian Klingler and wife, Stacey of Waltonville, Illinois; grandchildren, Brendan and Reese Klingler both of Waltonville, Illinois; sister, Mary Malone and husband, Kerry of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and niece, Christine Malone of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mr. Klingler proudly served his country in the United States National Guard. He was a member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Scheller, Illinois. Marlin enjoyed watching drag racing and watching Fox News.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Scheller, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will begin at 12 p.m. with Father Nick Junker officiating. Interment will follow at St. Barbara Cemetery in Scheller, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Marlin’s honor to the Jefferson County American Red Cross.

Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-279-7272 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.