Francis Eugene “Gene” Klinker, 77, of Lafayette, IN passed away at 2:53 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at IU Health Arnett Hospital following a lengthy battle with kidney disease.  He was born on September 9, 1940 in Lafayette, IN to the late Raymond R. Klinker and Eva C. (Ferguson) Klinker.  Gene married Virginia Ann “Ginny” Oswald on February 16, 1961 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church and she survives.

Gene graduated from Lafayette Central Catholic High School in 1958 and was a proud member of the first graduating class.  He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.  He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral, Lafayette.  Gene retired after a career in Banking and Real Estate.

Gene enjoyed following Central Catholic High School sports, especially football and basketball.  He was a fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Indiana University football and basketball, and the Green Bay Packers.  He loved Indy Car Racing, especially the Indianapolis 500 attending 40 races before illness kept him from attending in person.  He was also a NASCAR racing fan and attended 20 Daytona 500 races in his lifetime. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and playing euchre.

Also surviving are his daughter, Valerie and her husband, Dwight Hardy, his son, Raymond R. Klinker II and his daughter, Stephanie and her husband, Thad Hainje, all of Lafayette, his sister, Patricia Titus of Lafayette, and many nieces and nephews.  Gene also has 8 grandchildren: Lauren Hainje Davis and her husband Steve, Leigh Hardy Jakosa and her husband Xander, Anthony Klinker and his wife Alissa, Lynne Hardy, Jordan Hainje, Justin Klinker, Madison Hainje and Nolan Klinker and 3 great-grandchildren, Arabella Davis, Kamryn Klinker and Caleb (CJ) Davis. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Pauline Kyburz, his three brothers, Donald Klinker, Gerald Klinker and Norman Klinker, and a great-grandson, Sebastian John Davis.

Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd, Lafayette.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at St. Mary Cathedral, 1212 South Street, Lafayette, Fr. Jeff Martin officiating.  Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lafayette following the service.

Those wishing may contribute in Gene’s name to:  Lafayette Catholic Schools.