OBITUARIES
March 31, 2022 at 9:12 p.m.
Mary Virginia ‘Ginger’ Klinefelter Huffman
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She was preceded in death by husband of 68 years, John Frank Huffman; son, John Thomas Huffman; brother, John Harrison Klinefelter; and sisters: Eileen Wiltfong and Cuerenna Snyder. She is survived by daughter, Constance Joan Parker and husband Jim, of Duncanville, Texas; son, John Thomas’ wife Eleanor, of Englewood, Tenn.; son, Stephen Allen and wife Carol, of Lancaster, Ky.; son, Robert Kent and wife Cheryl, of Warsaw; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Ginger was born in West Union, Ill., on March 20, 1918, and the family later moved to Etna Green, where she attended Etna Green High School. It was there she met her husband, John, and they were soon married after he graduated. Here is a side story about how Mom got the name “Ginger” in her own words: “Granddad and Grandma Klinefelter were there, and everyone was getting ready to go to Terre Haute. Mother had dressed me up in my best bib and tucker. When everyone was ready to go, I was nowhere to be found. Granddad finally found me behind the house sitting in Mother’s wash boiler which was full of rainwater. Mother always caught rainwater to shampoo our hair. Granddad took me out of the water and told Dad and Mother that I was full of ‘Ginger.’ Well, from that day to this the nickname ‘Ginger’ has stuck with me and hardly anyone calls me anything else.”
John and Ginger moved to a farm owned by John's father. It was there Ginger gave birth to their first child, Constance, followed by three sons: Thomas, Stephen and Robert. They purchased the farm, and John farmed and usually had other employment to make ends meet. Ginger learned to milk cows, drive the tractor and could take over most "farm chores." She also maintained the household work, gardening, canning, cooking, sewing and making sure all four kids were ready for school. Ginger ironed everything, including sheets.
Sunday was a day for not only church service, but a day when other family members, who lived in Kokomo etc., would be invited to the farm for lunch. On other weekends, the entire Huffman clan would take off after church for Kokomo to visit John’s side of the family.
Ginger was also active in Eastern Star where her brother, John, invited her to join the Masons. She later became the Worthy Matron of her chapter and was known as the "Tractor Lady" and the "Sophisticated Lady!” She would wear a lovely long dress to special occasions of the chapter.
In 1964, John was offered a position at Lone Star Boat Company in Plano, Texas, while working at the Lone Star Boat Company located in Bremen. They decided to make the move since all of the children were out on their own by this time. Ginger took a job in Dallas working for Titches Department Stor, (which is now Dillard’s), working in the children’s shoe department. Ginger worked there for many years until retiring and they continued living in Plano, Texas. They were members of the First Christian Church of Plano. They continued living in Plano following their retirements. Ginger spent her later years living with her son, Robert and his wife, Cheryl, at Hoffman Lake in Indiana, which is less than a mile from the farm where John and Ginger had started their lives together.
In Ginger’s autobiography, she wrote, “You might ask what I would change, and I would say ‘Nothing.’ Each event sets another in motion. If we change one, it may alter everything. I feel very satisfied with my life.”
The services will be held at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, on Monday, April 4 with Deaton Funeral Home, Bourbon, in charge. Viewing is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with the service to follow at the Funeral Home. Restland Funeral Home, Dallas, Texas, will be in charge of the arrangements when Ginger is taken to be with John. Those arrangements are pending.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting monetary donations be made out to Boys Town, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010.
St.Paul says it best ...
2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV
I (She has) have fought a good fight, I (She has) have finished my (Her) course, I (She has) have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me (Her is) a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall (has) give(n to Her) me at that (this) day: and not to me only, but UNTO ALL them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING.
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She was preceded in death by husband of 68 years, John Frank Huffman; son, John Thomas Huffman; brother, John Harrison Klinefelter; and sisters: Eileen Wiltfong and Cuerenna Snyder. She is survived by daughter, Constance Joan Parker and husband Jim, of Duncanville, Texas; son, John Thomas’ wife Eleanor, of Englewood, Tenn.; son, Stephen Allen and wife Carol, of Lancaster, Ky.; son, Robert Kent and wife Cheryl, of Warsaw; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Ginger was born in West Union, Ill., on March 20, 1918, and the family later moved to Etna Green, where she attended Etna Green High School. It was there she met her husband, John, and they were soon married after he graduated. Here is a side story about how Mom got the name “Ginger” in her own words: “Granddad and Grandma Klinefelter were there, and everyone was getting ready to go to Terre Haute. Mother had dressed me up in my best bib and tucker. When everyone was ready to go, I was nowhere to be found. Granddad finally found me behind the house sitting in Mother’s wash boiler which was full of rainwater. Mother always caught rainwater to shampoo our hair. Granddad took me out of the water and told Dad and Mother that I was full of ‘Ginger.’ Well, from that day to this the nickname ‘Ginger’ has stuck with me and hardly anyone calls me anything else.”
John and Ginger moved to a farm owned by John's father. It was there Ginger gave birth to their first child, Constance, followed by three sons: Thomas, Stephen and Robert. They purchased the farm, and John farmed and usually had other employment to make ends meet. Ginger learned to milk cows, drive the tractor and could take over most "farm chores." She also maintained the household work, gardening, canning, cooking, sewing and making sure all four kids were ready for school. Ginger ironed everything, including sheets.
Sunday was a day for not only church service, but a day when other family members, who lived in Kokomo etc., would be invited to the farm for lunch. On other weekends, the entire Huffman clan would take off after church for Kokomo to visit John’s side of the family.
Ginger was also active in Eastern Star where her brother, John, invited her to join the Masons. She later became the Worthy Matron of her chapter and was known as the "Tractor Lady" and the "Sophisticated Lady!” She would wear a lovely long dress to special occasions of the chapter.
In 1964, John was offered a position at Lone Star Boat Company in Plano, Texas, while working at the Lone Star Boat Company located in Bremen. They decided to make the move since all of the children were out on their own by this time. Ginger took a job in Dallas working for Titches Department Stor, (which is now Dillard’s), working in the children’s shoe department. Ginger worked there for many years until retiring and they continued living in Plano, Texas. They were members of the First Christian Church of Plano. They continued living in Plano following their retirements. Ginger spent her later years living with her son, Robert and his wife, Cheryl, at Hoffman Lake in Indiana, which is less than a mile from the farm where John and Ginger had started their lives together.
In Ginger’s autobiography, she wrote, “You might ask what I would change, and I would say ‘Nothing.’ Each event sets another in motion. If we change one, it may alter everything. I feel very satisfied with my life.”
The services will be held at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, on Monday, April 4 with Deaton Funeral Home, Bourbon, in charge. Viewing is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with the service to follow at the Funeral Home. Restland Funeral Home, Dallas, Texas, will be in charge of the arrangements when Ginger is taken to be with John. Those arrangements are pending.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting monetary donations be made out to Boys Town, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010.
St.Paul says it best ...
2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV
I (She has) have fought a good fight, I (She has) have finished my (Her) course, I (She has) have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me (Her is) a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall (has) give(n to Her) me at that (this) day: and not to me only, but UNTO ALL them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING.
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