Harold Clinger Jr. , 83, was called to his heavenly home on March 14, 2025, with his loving family by his side.

Born on March 28, 1941, he was the son of the late Harold and Cathleen (Grimes) Clinger in Decatur, Illinois, but spent the majority of his life growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Central High School in 1959, where he was the quarterback of the football team and an astute, dedicated student with a deep passion for history, writing, poetry, culture, and the arts. He would tell us stories about skating on Reed's Lake, visiting the Grand Rapids Museum and Planetarium, grabbing a Coke at Middleton's Pharmacy, enjoying a burger at Mr. Fables or an ice cream cone at Miller's Ice Cream Shop. Many of his childhood memories were captured in the stories he wrote, which his family will cherish forever-including the time he and a friend stole a watermelon from a relative's truck, only to be caught and punished by having to eat every watermelon in the truck, a lesson that ensured he never touched another watermelon again.

After high school, Harold (Hal) attended Grand Rapids Junior College (GRJC) for two years before transferring to Albion College, where he played football. He later graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Engineering and Business Management. He was devoted admirer of John F. Kennedy and during a class break from GRJC, Hal ran out to see JFK while campaigning in Grand Rapids, and there is a picture of my dad in the Grand Rapids history book of him running behind his car.

Between his college years, Hal's adventurous spirit took him to San Francisco, eager to see the world. He arrived with little more than a 1962 Buick LeSabre convertible, hoping to sell it for a good price to fund his stay in Sausalito. That plan didn't quite pan out, and he often joked about surviving on 15-cent bowls of chili until he found a job. He spent his free time exploring the city's jazz scene, witnessing performances by some of the greats. His first job selling encyclopedias proved challenging, and after a long day of canvassing, he fell asleep on a park bench-only to be awakened by a police officer issuing him a citation for being in a non-solicitation zone. That job didn't last, and he soon took a job at Todd Shipyard, managing maritime logs.

After six months, Hal returned to Grand Rapids upon receiving a draft order for Vietnam. However, a football-related knee injury prevented him from passing the physical. It was then that his true love story began when he took a job as a mail clerk at AC Rowe and met his future wife, Fran(Siedlecki), an office secretary. He loved to tell the story of how Fran would sweep into a room like a tornado, always with a bright smile that warmed the room. When he finally worked up the courage to ask her out, Fran already had a date scheduled with another boy. But she knew if she didn't say "yes" to Hal, she might lose the opportunity-so she canceled her date, and off they went to the movies. Hal had a dating strategy: filling his dates up on salty popcorn so they wouldn't ask for dinner afterward. But Fran was different-after the movie, she was ready for a burger and malt at Butter Wagon's burger stand.

Fran described Hal as an intelligent, well-mannered, and kind young man who stole her heart. He always showed up on their dates with a single red rose. She laughs when she shares the story of their second date, when Hal met her foster parents and endured a dinner of pea soup and butterscotch pudding, but he took it in stride. Determined to win her heart, he even secretly took dance lessons at Arthur Murray, knowing how much Fran loved to dance. Though he claimed he never quite overcame his two left feet, he charmed her by whispering Frank Sinatra songs into her ear, always calling her "My Funny Valentine." This tradition endured throughout their life together-every Valentine's Day, he would write her a beautiful letter, always beginning with, "To my dear Funny Little Valentine."

Hal, originally Baptist, took an interest in Catholicism out of love and respect for Fran. Over the years, he became deeply knowledgeable about the faith, often explaining its symbolism and significance to her. He read the entire Bible three times-twice more audibly after he lost his sight.

On a snowy November 21, 1964, they were married and honeymooned in Chicago. Despite the blizzard, the joke was that they would never make it past the Friendly Arms Hotel in Holland, Michigan, but they made it, enjoying the Palmer House, Trader Vic's, the Shedd Aquarium, and a concert at McCormick Place. Early in their marriage, Fran cooked her first meal-meatloaf. Lacking breadcrumbs, she substituted wheat germ she received from her foster mother. Hal later joked that even ketchup couldn't salvage it. When he tossed it into the alley, a passing hound dog sniffed and walked away.

In 1965, they welcomed their first child. While working full-time at Kelvinator in the Quality Department, Hal spent his nights studying-often bouncing his baby daughter on his lap. Between 1967 and 1972, they added four more children to their growing family, filling their days with love and adventure. His career flourished, with leadership roles at Gulf and Western, General Motors, and Model Coverall.

In 1984, Hal relocated the family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, after accepting a position at Coverall Rental. Over the years, he also managed operations at Mullinex Plastics and Sharon Manufacturing (later acquired by TI Automotive). Known for his leadership, he was often called the "clean-up man" for turning struggling plants around. After a brief move to Caro, Michigan, for a regional manager role with Walbro Automotive (which later became TI Automotive), he returned to Indiana to manage the Ossian facility before retiring.

In 2000, Hal transitioned from corporate life to small business ownership, purchasing The Waynedale Bakery for his daughter. Working side by side with her, he embraced the baking industry with dedication, tackling every task-big or small. "Time to make the donuts," he would say.

At first, Hal wasn't thrilled about becoming a Hoosier, joking in one of his stories, "This is Hoosier land, and the most revered Hoosier of all is Bobby Knight. Have you heard about his furniture store? If you buy a table, he'll throw in a chair for free." But over time, he grew to appreciate Fort Wayne, finding familiar comforts that reminded him of Grand Rapids. "Home is where the heart is."

As a husband, father, and grandfather, Hal was the most devoted, faithful, and selfless man. He filled our lives with love, laughter, and wisdom. He connected with each of his children and grandchildren in ways that were uniquely personal to them. He coached his three daughters' eighth-grade basketball teams, attended every baseball, football, and soccer game, attended every Show Choir concert and school event, and was always there for homework help, life advice, or simply a shoulder to lean on. He had a steel-trap memory and could cite historical dates and names better than Alexa. His family often joked, that no one wanted to play against him in Trivial Pursuit.

One unforgettable family adventure was "Grandpa's Grand Adventure" to Disney World and Universal Studios with his wife, children, their spouses, and nine grandchildren-eight under the age of ten. He also made our house the life of the party with all of the neighborhood children in hosting a haunted house for Halloween and played Santa Claus every Christmas, looking even more authentic than the Santa on the Coca-Cola bottle.

Hal was a man of unwavering faith, kindness, and integrity. He carried his family's burdens silently and was a rock they could always count on. He lived his faith daily, praying the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet with Fran until his final days. The love he and Fran shared was extraordinary-a love story for the ages.

He was the kind of father children dream of having, and we were blessed to have him. He will forever be in our hearts, and we will always be grateful for the gift of Hal.

He is proceeded in death by his father, Harold, his mother Cathleen, Sister Audrey, Brother Sam (Ruth), brother Daniel (Sharon). He is survived by his loving wife Frances, daughter Kathy (Dan) Craghead, daughter Chris (Kevin) Millier, son Matthew (Beth) Clinger, son Andrew Clinger, daughter Shelley Clinger (Scott), sister Linda Clinger, grandchildren: Ashley (Gray) Hodges, Alexis (Jordan) Neuenschwander, Elizabeth Clinger, Haley Miller (Turner), Alex (Andrew) Yaney, Danny Craghead, Jeremy Miller, Nick (Stacia) Craghead, Matthew Clinger Jr, Jason (Ashlyn) Miller, Allyson Clinger, Travis (Megan) Burns and great grandchildren, Frances (Frankie), Amara, Alana, CJ, Quinn and Layton, sister in law, brother in law and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be Friday, April 25, 2025 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gift or Masses at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Fort Wayne Indiana.