Joseph H. Klaput Sr.
Joseph H. Klaput Sr., 87, of Freeport passed away at his home Thursday losing his courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones as he began his final journey.
Joe's visit on Earth began on March 19, 1923, in Ford City. He and his twin brother, George, were the youngest of 14 children born to the late Andrew P. and Mary Grace Klaput.
He grew up in Ford City and Freeport, graduating from Freeport High School in 1942, where he was a member of the football and basketball teams.
Like so many of his generation, he answered the call to proudly serve his country and enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after high school. Both he and his twin were assigned to the 447th Bomb Group, flying 12 missions together on the same B-17 airplane. However, when pulled to duty as a replacement tail gunner on another crew, Joe's plane was shot down over Germany, where he was captured and held as a prisoner-of-war for 12 months. Escaping to freedom, he was liberated and safely returned home. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the POW Medal and the Air Medal for his service.
On July 2, 1945, he married the love of his life, Nannie Jean Kuhn Klaput. They shared more than 64 years together.
Joe was employed for 36 years by Consolidated Coal Co. He worked at several local mines including Cadogan, Harmar Township and Renton. He held a variety of positions and retired in 1982 as a mechanical and electrical maintenance foreman.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed being at his "Camp I Like," hunting and fishing and could "tickle" a trout out of any stream. He was smooth on the dance floor and could tell the best stories. He was a tinkerer who could figure out and fix almost anything.
An adventurer and explorer, he and Nannie enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states, 14 countries and 63 Pennsylvania counties.
He was a member of St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Freeport, a life member of the VFW and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Ex-Prisoners of War Group, 447th Bomb Group, White Star Club and several social and sportsmen clubs.
Above all else, Joe's greatest joy was his family. He was a loving husband and father and a friend to all.
He will be greatly missed and forever cherished by his wife, Nannie Jean; daughters Nancy (Andrew) Ruffner and Donna (Steven) Gardner and son, Joseph Klaput Jr., all of Freeport; his twin brother, George (Delphine) Klaput of Royal Oak, Mich.; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Jack and Leo (Doris) Kuhn; grandchildren Andrew (Tina) Ruffner, Jennifer (Leonard) Valenti, Kerri (Ben) Clepper, Joseph Klaput III, Jessica Klaput, Brian (Lisa) Gardner and Sean (Patti) Gardner; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Julia, Gracie, Cole, Keira, Molly, Andy and Finn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Walter (Wanda) Klaput, Matthew (Tara) Klaput, Edward (Lois) Klaput, Louis (Rosemary) Klaput, Raymond Klaput and Carl Klaput; and six sisters, Stella (Joseph) Blazek, Mary (Sidney) Wolfe, Helen (Walt) Burke, Genevieve (Frank) Scripps, Clara (Ray) Glenn and Elizabeth (Rex) Riggle.
<B>KLAPUT</B> — The family and friends of Joseph H. Klaput Sr., who died Thursday, April 22, 2010, are being received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 2 and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the <B>REDMOND FUNERAL HOME INC.</B>, 542 High St., Freeport.A parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.A parting prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home and will be followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Mary Mother of God Roman Catholic Church, Freeport.A burial service will be held with military honors at the St. Mary Cemetery, Freeport.To send a condolence visit, www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.
