Clair (Jim) Altland entered eternal life on December 7,2001 at Gettysburg Hospital. He was the son of Raymond Altland and Esther Hoke Altland. He was preceeded in death by a sister, Mary Altland. His was the husband of Carolyn J Altland and previously married to Agnes Kuhn Altland for 25 years previous. He had 4 children, Deb Klinedinst and husband, Rod of Hanover; Marianne Little and husband Mike; Dennis Altland and wife, Brenda; and Wendy Bankert and husband, Ted. He also had 6grandchildren, Chad & Todd Klinedinst, Nicole Bankert, Nathanial and Sam Little, and Danielle Chrismer. To date if living now would have now have 9 great-grandchildren. He retired from Harley Davidson at the age of 65. He enjoyed music, playing the organ, singing and marched with the Hanover Lancers Drum & Bugle Corp for over 25 years before they disbanded. He was one of the original persons that helped to get the Hanover Lancers Alumni Corp back together. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 14 Honor Guard, the 1st singing Honor Guard that would march parades and sing. He was a free spirited person and would do anything for anyone in need. You could always count on dad to be there for you when you needed help! He had a big heart. And he could always make you laugh. I can always remember telling us as kids,, life is too short....live each day and do the very best that you can. Live it like it is your last day. I can remember as a 12 year old girl, I would play the piano at St Matthew Lutheran church Sunday School for the adult class which was on the WHVR radio station every Sunday morning from 9:30 - 10AM. I playing "Onward Christian Soldiers" as we would go on the air, my dad would lead the singing every week. We never missed a Sunday. We would sing the old hymns and the class had approximately 100 men and women at that time. At that age I thought we hit the big time! Our dad had health issues the last few year of his life. We never heard him complain of pain or anything. The last few days of his life, he was in a hepatic coma at Gettysburg hospital. I will never forget the evening our mother, Aggie, asked me and my sister to take her to his bedside. We did as she requested. She went to his bedside, took his frail hand and held it. That sight was very emotional for us. Then she sat beside his bed and softly said to him "Jim, I forgive you and I love you and never stopped loving you. I will take care of the children and I will be fine. It is time for you to go." Needless to say, my sister and I had tears streaming from our eyes. Early the next morning his wife had called telling me that our father had passed away. I knew that Jesus had come to take him Home. What a celebration of life that was. Our father was a great man. We were very lucky children to have a dad like him. When we were young, he wasn't home too much because he worked during the day and in the evening he was either at drum corp rehearsal or he also owned his own tree trimming business. On weekends him and mom would pack the 3 of us in the car & off to a parade we would go. What great memories we have. April 2010 our father was inducted into the Drum Corp Hall of Fame. My sisters, brother and I went to Harrisburg to accept the award in his memory. What an honor that was. There is a flag that we had purchased and had given to the Hanover Lancers in memory of our father. When I see the Lancers come down the street carrying that flag, I know that dad is with them! That is just a touch of the iceburg of our father's life. He is buried at Mummerts Meeting House Cemetary off of Pine Run Rd in East Berlin, PA. If you have other information that you have to share about our father, please feel free to post it. We love to hear stories about him. I know there are so many. Potter county stories, Legion convention, bus trips that he had planned, so many things to mention. and the lives that he touched. We miss you dad and love you! We will meet again someday. Love and hugs, your daughter, Deb
Author: Debra A Klinedinst
Date:
Forum id: 5550
Wpart ID: 13320430
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