Kenneth Eldon “Casey” Clinger, 79, of Scottsbluff passed away on March 27, 2011 at the West Nebraska Veterans Home.  Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory.  Interment and a small memorial service will take place at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at  Alliance on June 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Casey was born on January 13, 1932 in Kimball, NE to Ellen Amelia (Dornhoff) and Millard Earle Clinger.  He graduated from Kimball High School in 1950.  Casey held many jobs throughout his elementary and high school years: the Kimball Bowling Alley (a pin setter at the age of 5), various local farmers (farm hand and potato picker), the Kimball Service Station, Kimball Creamery Company, the Sioux Army Depot, and J. C. Penney’s of Kimball.

Casey joined the United States Air Force on December 31, 1950.  In the Air Force, he trained in Teletype and Cryptographic Repair at F. E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Fort Devens, Massachusetts.  Most of his service was spent at Elmendorf AFB, AK.  He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on December 8, 1954.

After being discharged, Casey was employed by the National Cash Register Company in Denver and later in Cheyenne.  On June 15, 1956, Casey married Kay Siewert, also of Kimball.  The couple eventually made it back to Kimball when Casey was hired by Western Office Supply.  In 1962 Western Office Supply opened another store in Scottsbluff and the family moved there to manage the new store.  While in Scottsbluff, Casey was very active with the local Kiwanis Chapter and the Elks Club.

In 1989, Casey and Kay retired and moved to Winter Garden, FL.  In 2001 they moved back to Scottsbluff to be closer to their only grandchildren.

Survivors include Casey’s wife Kay Clinger of Scottsbluff, NE; daughter Julie Scripture, Canton, GA, son Scott Clinger, Bridgeport, NE; sister Ellen Wood Hubbard, Lakeland, FL; brother Howard Clinger, Sparks, NV; two grandchildren, Casey and Margaret.

Casey was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Gordon, Don, and Melvin.

Casey was very proud of his service to the United States of America.  A memorial fund in Casey’s name has been established at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  Donations to this fund will benefit the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.  Please make checks payable to “Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance, Benefit Donation Fund” and include account number 3191224843.  Donations may be taken to any Wells Fargo or Wachovia Bank or mailed to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 1413  Riverstone Parkway, Canton, GA  30114.

Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.