Obituary of Josef Franz Kliment

After having been given the last rites by Our Lady of the Hills, Father Santiago, Josef Franz Kliment passed away at noon on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Lexington, SC.  Born June 18, 1940 in Prerau, Czechoslovakia to the late Josef W. and Sofie Houstova Kliment, Mr. Kliment graduated from the University of Nürnberg before emigrating to the United States in response to President Kennedy’s famous, “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech.

Mr. Kliment proudly served in the United States Air Force before a successful career in the insurance industry, retiring in 2006 from the Strickler Agency.  Joe took part in various charitable events, being especially proud of leading the United Way campaign to meeting their financial goal in 1984.  He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Club, Chambersburg Club, the VFW, and a lifelong member of the American Legion. In his leisure time, he could be found rounding the greens at the Chambersburg Country Club and the Country Club of Lexington, proud to carry his own clubs and walk the course.  He achieved holes-in-one at both CCL and Jekyll Island, GA, witnessed by his loving wife, Mimsi, and their friends.  For a man with such humble beginnings, he achieved the American Dream doing things the Kliment way.

In 1965, Josef Kliment became a proud American citizen and met the love of his life, Miriam Boykin, with whom he spent 49 years of marriage until her passing in 2017.  Joe and Mimsi traveled Europe, all 50 states and followed the Lewis and Clark Trail, even camping part of the way.  They held historic parties at their home and at “Dunruf” in Caledonia for family and friends alike, most parties lasting several days.

Surviving to carry on the stories of strength and humor are his daughters, Miriam (Vince) Collins of Annville, PA, and Elisabeth (Scott) McWhite of Lexington, SC; along with his grandchildren, Veronica, Warren and Bettina Collins and Cullen McWhite; and companion and fellow German rummy enthusiast, Marie Lehman.

Mr. Kliment will be interred at Quaker Cemetery, Camden, SC with his wife by his side, and services will be private.