Harold J. Klaman

Harold J. Klaman, 93, died Saturday, October 13, 2018, at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center, after being in declining health for the last several months. Harold James Klaman was born March 25, 1925, in Danville township, the only son of Franklin and Anna Hayman Klaman. A lifelong resident of Danville, he had been a member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church for 83 years. A member of the Danville High School Class of 1943, he left school at 17 before the end of his senior year to enter the armed services; his mother received his diploma at graduation in his stead. Enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force, he served as a bombardier in a B-17 warplane named the Milk Run. A graduate of officer's training school, he was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned to the Debach Air Base near Ipswich, England, as a member of the 861st Bombardment Squadron of the 493rd Bomb Group. Flying eight miles high at temperatures approaching minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, he completed his full 25 missions over western Europe and Germany and was scheduled to return home the day that Adolph Hitler committed suicide. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal with three clusters. Returning to Danville in August, 1945, after the conclusion of World War II, he earned his bachelor's degree in education from Illinois State Normal University and, later, his master's degree from the University of Illinois. He served as a member of the Danville School District No. 118 faculty for 33 years, from 1950 to 1983. First, he taught and served as coach at Franklin, Edison, then Collett Elementary Schools for nine years. From 1959 to 1964, he was the principal of Lincoln and Fairchild Elementary Schools. His longest assignment was as principal of East Park Jr. High School from 1964 to 1977. His last post, headquartered at DHS, was as Director of Vocational Education, a position he held for six years until his retirement in 1983. He valued the opportunity he had to work with the many students, staff members, and parents he encountered during his long career and whom he enjoyed seeing and catching up with in his years of retirement He married Shirley Ann Mauck on June 10, 1953, who also was a long-time teacher in the city schools. They had one daughter, Kimberly Ann, who was the center of their lives. Two of his many talents included his innate ability to repair almost any motor and to construct, repair, and modify most structures. He was very proud that he built his family's house himself in 1956 on the neighboring lot to his parents' home. He remodeled and made two additions to his home where he resided for the remainder of his life. He took pride in being one of the passengers of the Honor Flight, visiting the veterans' sites in Washington, DC. His grandson, Ryan, accompanied him on this special occasion. Ryan also nominated him for two veteran awards that he received - including being named to the Veterans' Wall of Honor at Kenneth D. Bailey Academy. Harold Klaman was a giving and loyal son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, co-worker, and friend who was always there to do anything he could to help others. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, in 2000 and one sister, Marjorie Klaman (Wayne) Denman in 2007. He is survived by his daughter, Kim (Duane) Webber; grandchildren - Ryan (Hilary) Cerutti, Earl (Ashley) Webber, and Andrew (Emilie) Webber); great-grandchildren - Olivia and Ava Cerutti; Tyler and Jacob Webber; and Keaghan, Jay, and Willow Webber. He is also survived by two nephews, Mark Denman and Greg (Janet) Denman; one niece, Ann (William) Blair; and great-nephews and nieces - Jay (Jena) O'Blenis, Tim (Keira) O'Blenis, Margie (Brent) Lockhart, Mark J. Denman, and Judy Denman. A Mass of Christian Burial for Harold will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at St. Paul's Catholic Church with Fr. Bo Schmitt officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville from 4:00-7:00 PM. Entombment will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery with military rites performed by American Legion Post #210. Memorials can be made to the Danville American Legion or the Danville VFW. Please join Harold's family in sharing photos and memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation Oct 22, 2018 Monday, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion st Danville, Il 61834 Service Oct 23, 2018 Tuesday, 10:00 AM St. Paul's Catholic Church 1303 N. Walnut Avenue Danville, Illinois 61832 Final Resting Place Resurrection Cemetery 818 Wendt Ave Danville, IL 61832