MALTA-Joann L.
Essig, 71, a Malta resident since 2006 and nurse, died May 28, 2010 in an automobile accident near Garrison, Montana.
Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 12, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Interment of her ashes will be at a later date. A reception for friends and family will follow the services at the VFW Club. Condolences for the family may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com. Kirkwood Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
Joann was born May 15, 1939 to Dr. J Fred and Bertha V. (Halstead) Essig in Grand Junction, Colorado. The family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where her father was superintendent of schools. Following her graduation from high school, she earned a Batchelor of Arts degree from Case-Western Reserve University. After several years of teaching in public schools, she earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati. She subsequently taught at the College of Mount Saint Joseph, Ohio. In 1980, she earned a Registered Nurse diploma from Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. She continued working as a registered nurse until her retirement in 2007.
She married then Captain Donald W. Klinko in December 1988, following him in his Air Force assignments to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. They moved to Malta in 2006. She was a 50-year member of the PEO sisterhood. Joann enjoyed travel, gardening, reading, several arts and crafts, visiting historical sites with her husband.
Survivors include her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Donald W. Klinko; U.S. Air Force Reserve (retired) of Malta; sons, Kirk F. Mentzer of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Jonathan K.
Mentzer, Andrew R. Mentzer both of Cincinnati, Ohio; brothers, Dr. J Robert Essig of Springfield, Ohio, Dr. Garth F. Essig of Columbus, Ohio; eight grand children, and numerous nieces and nephews.
MALTA-Joann L.
Essig, 71, a Malta resident since 2006 and nurse, died May 28, 2010 in an automobile accident near Garrison, Montana.