Earl Benton KlingensmithEarl Benton Klingensmith, age 88, passed away on May 31, 2017 in Springfield, Missouri. He was born on January 11, 1929 in Humboldt, Kansas. He married Freda McGownd on August 21, 1948. Earl was a veteran of the United States Navy, Seaman Second Class serving during WWII in the Pacific Theater. Later in his life he was an optician with Lens Crafters and opened the Springfield location. Earl, also, owned and managed a hardware store in Sarcoxie, Missouri. Earl was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, but most of all he loved his Lord and Savior and was a faithful member of Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield before recently moving to Mountain Grove, Missouri. His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years and 3 days, Freda; parents, Henry Clifford and Arizona (Tate) Klingensmith; three brothers, Alvin, Maurice and Harvey Lee. He is survived by his daughter, Sherrie Black and her husband Brad of Elgin, Illinois, grandchildren; Derek Black and his wife Laura of Soldotna, Alaska, Bethany Comstock and her husband Kevin of St. Charles, Illinois, great-grandchildren; Elias, Jathan and Aurora.Funeral services will be on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home South in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, Mountain Grove, Missouri with full military honors. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Gideons International, Springfield South Camp, P.O. Box 4221, Springfield, MO 65808-4221.