"Mr. Killinger was a fantastic teacher and had a huge impact on my decision to become a scientist."
In loving memory of
George Killinger, Jr.
July 7, 2009
George Killinger, Jr. passed away July 7, 2009 at Hospice of Arizona, Sun City West, Arizona.
He was born in Carson, Iowa on November 24, 1922, to George and Valma Killinger and was the oldest of four children. Following elementary and high school years in Carson, he attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, from 1940-1943, when he was drafted into the Army. He married Miriam Williams in 1945.
George served as a medical laboratory technician in General Hospitals on Luzon in the Philippine Islands. He was discharged in 1946. He continued his education and received a B.S. Degree from William Penn College and a M.S. Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. During a number of summer vacations throughout his teaching career, he did research and studied at a variety of universities with grants from the National Science Foundation. He taught high school science classes for thirty-six years including six years in Bettendorf and his final 24 years in Pleasant Valley where he served as science department chairman. He retired in 1984. George's hobbies included reading, classical music, golf and travel.
He leaves behind his wife Miriam; daughter Marty Neifer; son Bill and wife Jan; sisters, Barbara Jeneary and Virginia Lewis; brother Phil and wife Ann; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Howard and Jo Williams. The other surviving family members are grandchildren, Mike Neifer and wife Jen, Susan Wees and husband Doug, Katie Killinger, Jeff Killinger; three great grandchildren, Megan and Jason Neifer and Eli Wees; an uncle Glen Roberson; and nine nieces and nephews.
George's memorial service was held at the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West, AZ on August 1, 2009. Burial will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2009, 2:30 p.m., at the Carson Cemetery in Carson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or Hospice of Arizona, Sun City West, Arizona.
Hertz Funeral Home of Carson in charge of local arrangements.
Tributes
"My deepest sympathy to all of Mr. Killinger's family. I am a former student who graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1970. I live close to the Quad City area & saw his obituary in the paper. Mr. Killinger's classes were the ones I always looked forward to, & his teaching approach was so conversational that you learned & remembered & still had fun! I believe that his love of teaching led me to an ongoing 35 year career in healthcare. I've thought of him often over the years, & hope that he had a fun retirement in Arizona. My best to the family. Nancy Lippold Gehlsen, DeWitt, IA"
"My deepest sympathy to all of Mr. Killinger's family. I am a former student who graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1970. I live close to the Quad City area & saw his obituary in the paper. Mr. Killinger's classes were the ones I always looked forward to, & his teaching approach was so conversational that you learned & remembered & still had fun! I believe that his love of teaching led me to an ongoing 35 year career in healthcare. I've thought of him often over the years, & hope that he had a fun retirement in Arizona. My best to the family. Nancy Lippold Gehlsen, DeWitt, IA From: Nancy Lippold Gehlsen 09/01/2009 06:23 AM "