COSHOCTON — Clifford Isiah Olinger, 81, of Coshocton passed away at his residence on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 4:10 a.m.

He was born in Chili, Ohio, on June 12, 1926, the son of the late Russell and Iva Kleinknecht Olinger. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the 71st Infantry, Regiment Company A of the 44th Division of the U.S. Army, and was the recipient of the Purple Heart. “We went ... we did not ask why ... our Country called and we were proud to serve.” In 2004 he received his Veterans High School diploma from Ridgewood High School, having left school years ago to serve his country.

Clifford was a member of the Walhonding Church of Christ, most recently attending the First Church of Christ in Coshocton until his health declined. Mr. Olinger was a lifelong farmer, and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Agriculture Research Service North Appalachian Experimental Watershed, retiring in 1982 after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Coshocton County Farm Bureau, VFW Post 1330, DAV, and the Warsaw Lions Club. On Feb. 7, 1948, he married his wife of over 60 years, Doris Rosalie Walters Olinger, who has faithfully and lovingly cared for him in the many years of his declining health. She is the daughter of the late Winfield and Mary Walters.

Mr. Olinger is survived by four children, Cathy and Terry McCue of Seville, Chris Olinger of West Lafayette, Marcia Ann and Daniel Smigelski of Franklin, Tenn., and Jerry R. and Jo Ann Olinger of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren, Tara and Art Monahan of Wadsworth, Jason and Cindy McCue of Cuyahoga Falls, Andrea and Chris Guilliams of Dublin and Anna Olinger of Lima; five great-grandchildren, Alina and Max McCue, Ava and Griffin Guilliams and Aubrey Bowers; two sisters and three brothers, Peggy McCrea and John, Emma McCrea and the late James, Harvey and Reva Olinger, Larry and Margie Olinger, all of the Fresno, Ohio, area, and Darrell (Butch) and Stephanie Olinger of Westerville; sisters-in-law, Ginny Olinger of Columbus, Pauline and Harold Donley of Yuba City, Calif.; special aunt, Dora Davis of Coshocton; and special niece, Susan Rine Brookman and Neal of Yuba City, Calif.; many other nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive along with special extended family, Debbie, Jim, Shane Foster and Jamie Foster-Olinger and Brian.

He was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers, Lucille Miller, Roger Olinger and Franklin Olinger.

Funeral services for Mr. Olinger will be held Tuesday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Given-Dawson Funeral Home in Coshocton, with Pastor Ben McKinstry officiating. Burial will follow in Coshocton County Memory Gardens, where the Coshocton County Veterans Council will conduct military services. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 5 to 8 p.m.

Contributions can be made to Hospice of Coshocton, P.O. Box 1284, Coshocton, OH 43812. An online memorial is at www.given-dawsonfuneralhome.com.