DAVID KLING

David Ridgway Kling, 68, of rural Lewistown, Mo., entered into the presence of his Lord at his home on February 29, 2024 with his family by his side.

Dave was born in Brookfield, Mo., to Byron and Olivette Kling on May 20th,1955. He grew up an only child, and though he lived in town, he most enjoyed spending time on his father’s farm. During school, he worked at his mother’s drive-in restaurant, The Frostop. After graduating from Brookfield High School, he attended Northeast Missouri State University, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice. At NMSU, he met his future wife, Susan, on a blind date. Despite Dave having once been two hours late to one of their first dates (having missed the turn-off for C in Ewing), they married two years later on December 17, 1977. They went on to have four wonderful children.

Dave started his career with the Kirksville Police Department. He spent over 35 years in law enforcement with police departments including Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Jefferson City, Mo. He later became an investigator with the Mo. Attorney General’s Office followed by the Department of Public Safety. He retired in 2011 before moving with Susan back to Lewis County where they built a home on a corner of her family farm.

Outside of work, he loved spending time outdoors with his family. Some of his favorite pastimes were boating on the lakes around Mo., and hiking, hunting, and vacationing in Colorado. Dave and Susan enjoyed helping out her parents on the family farm and eventually raising cattle themselves. At the end of the day, he liked to kick back in his recliner and watch classic films, especially westerns featuring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. He possessed a strong interest in history, regularly watching historical documentaries and reading nonfiction as well as keeping up with politics and current events. Besides raising their children, Dave and his wife always had a multitude of four-legged creatures in and outside the house, including cats, dogs, horses, and the occasional bottle calf. Dave treasured any time spent with his children and their families. Large family dinners were always a special highlight for him.

Dave is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Daniel (Marisa) Kling of Holts Summit, Mo., Meagan Kling of Canton, Mo., Cassie (Joey Palmer) Kling of Urbana, Ill., and Ethan Kling of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandchildren, Lillian and Ella Bowyer and William DeWaard of Canton, and Carson and Camden Kling of Holts Summit.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father and step-mother, Mary Frances Kling.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in La Grange, MO.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in LaGrange with Mr. Dennis Robertson officiating.

Burial and graveside services will be in Laclede Cemetery, Laclede, Mo., at 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Pallbearers will be: Daniel Kling, Meagan Kling, Cassie Kling, Ethan Kling, Marisa Kling, and Joey Palmer.

The family suggests memorials be made to the ALS Association in care of Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, La Grange, MO 63448.