Joe Bingenheimer

Funeral Services for Joe Bingenheimer, 94, former Clinton educator/superintendent,

will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2022 in the First Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Doyle Kinney. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.

Joe Bingenheimer was born September 6, 1928, in Cloud Chief, OK and passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022, in his Clinton home. His mother’s name was Alice Dobbs Bingenheimer and his father was Clayton Bingenheimer.

Joe was raised in Clinton where he attended school; however, before graduating high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army/Air Force at the tail end of WWII in 1945. He served a three-year stint in France, Germany, Italy and North Africa. He was honorably discharged in 1948 and returned home to complete his high school career. He continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University receiving his Bachelor of Science in 1952 and later his Master in Education.

He married Pauline Fischer in 1949, and he began his teaching career. His first teaching assignment was in Clinton where he taught at Washington andSouthwest Elementary Schools as well as, Clinton Junior High School. He also coached football, basketball and baseball. He then moved his family to Burns Flat, OK where he was instrumental in starting the football program and coached his teams to three separate state runner-up honors in the 1960s. He then followed his education dream returning to school at the University of Oklahoma achieving a professional certificate in administration and school finance.

Mr. Bingenheimer’s passion for education was a driving force for most of his life. In 1968, he returned to Clinton Public Schools serving as assistant superintendent under Marion Diel and eventually becoming superintendent in 1977. Mr. Bingenheimer helped the district maintain its longtime academic and athletic success before his retirement in . His influence in education still has lasting effects on his students and local schools. Many will fondly remember his years in administration. He was always respectfully known as Mr. Bingenheimer.

As an active member of the First Baptist Church, he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school. He enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture and officiating high school football games for many years. He was honored to perform the coin toss at the 100th anniversary of Clinton Red Tornado Football. Upon retirement, he was a mediator for the family court system of Custer County, solidifying his belief in family. Even in his nineties, one of his favorite activities was working out at Acme Brick Center where he made friends, became a role model while staying fit.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Richard Bingenheimer, and son in law, Barry Robinson.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Bingenheimer, of the home, son, Michael Bingenheimer, Clinton, OK and three daughters: Paula Stewart and husband Larry, Clinton, OK; Kim Robinson, Cape Girardeau, MO; Ann Bardone and husband, Patrick, Santa Fe, NM.

He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jacob Stewart and wife Amy; Adrienne Clerici and husband, Chris; Jordan Stewart and wife, Melissa; Katelin Wilson and husband, Matt; and Haley Robinson; and six great grandchildren: Grant Stewart, Kate Stewart, Audrey Stewart, Rocco Clerici, Carson Clerici, Oaklyn Stewart and great grandson on the way.