James Edwin Klene

James "Jim" Edwin Klene, 83, of Hannibal, MO, passed away at 5:00 AM Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at University Hospital in Columbia, MO. Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel. Fr. Mike Quinn will officiate. Burial with full military honors provided by the Missouri State Funeral Honor's Team will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO. Visitation will be held 11:00 AM until the time of the service Friday at the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel. Mr. Klene was born April 4, 1931, in Hannibal the son of Zeno and Rosemary (Crosgrove) Klene. He married Donna Rae Carr on June 30, 1962, in Hannibal. She survives him. Other survivors include one brother, David Klene of Topeka, KS; two sisters, Shirley Holderness of Chesterfield, MO, and Mary Winslow of Washington, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Klene was preceded in death by his parents. Jim graduated from McCooey High School and attended St. Benedict College and Quincy College. Mr. Klene served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Air Force as a Fighter Jet Technician at Moody Air Force Base, in Valdosta, GA, and later was in the Air Force Reserves. Jim joined his father at Klene Printing Company and later he and his brother owned and operated the company. Jim retired in 1997 as sole owner. He was a journeyman printer, member of the International Typographical Union Local 88 and publisher of the Hannibal Labor Press (a weekly newspaper for over 50 years). Jim was a former trustee for Northeast Missouri Elks, he was instrumental in promoting the Missouri Elks Newspaper (SHOZEM) and was a past P.E.R. of the Elks. Mr. Klene was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Hannibal Lions Club, Hannibal Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development, Hannibal Reality, Scipio Marina, Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post 55, and Hannibal Elks Lodge. Jim was an avid boater, traveled the country in a RV and was a member of the Cardinals and Heart of Missouri Camping Clubs. He was President of the Cardinals for one year. Mr. Klene was a Catholic by faith. Memorials may be made to the Donor's Choice, in care of Smith Funeral Home and Chapel. Online condolences can be offered to the family at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com