William Wayne Kline

William Wayne Kline
July 21, 1915 - June 29, 2009
    Wayne Kline passed away peacefully in his sleep June 29, 2009 in the presence of his loving family. His zest for life, strength of character, and good humor will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. He will be particularly missed by his wife of 72 years, Ruth E. (Ringer) Kline and children, Robert (Carolyn) Kline of Culver, Carol (Richard) Troester of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and Patricia (James) Mann of Naples, Fla.
    Wayne was born on the family farm to Effie Janes (Finney) Kline and William Kline on July 21, 1915. Raised on the farm, he graduated from Culver High School in 1933 and continued his studies in agriculture through taking “short” courses at Purdue University.
    Wayne married Ruth Ringer in 1937. Their marriage and love for each other continues to be a strength and inspiration for their extended family and those around them. Together, they raised three children and were devoted parents and, later, grandparents and great-grandparents. A farmer and dairyman through and through, Wayne worked hard throughout his life practicing modern farming techniques and he was always particularly proud of his Holstein dairy herd.
    Throughout his life Wayne maintained a questing curiosity about the world around him. A devoted reader, Wayne could be found many evenings reading one of his cherished Louis L’Amour novels. His other hobbies included carpentry, fishing and fixing anything mechanical.
    The Bible was never far from Wayne’s side either. He was active in many church organizations. Through his youth and young adult years, he was a member of the Mt. Hope Church in Fulton County where he was active on the Church Board and was a Sunday School teacher. As an older adult, he and Ruth became members of Sunrise Chapel in Plymouth. Upon his retirement in 1980 to Ft. Myers, Fla., he became a member of the First United Methodist Church where he was active in the Church’s Men’s Club and worked in the Church Thrift Store for 18 years. Upon his return to the Culver area in his later years, he became a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Wayne had an abiding, active faith and could always be counted on to lend a hand on a variety of church projects.
    Wayne contributed to the community through lifelong involvement in a number of organizations. He was a member of the Marshall County Agriculture Board; Producers Livestock Board, a 4-H leader for 15 years; Chairman of the County Soil and Water Conservation Board and member of the Marshall County Farm Bureau Board. He was also a member of the Culver School Board and Building Committee and a member and past president of Culver Lions Club.
    Four half brothers: Ralph, Walter, Guy and Whitney; and one half sister, Mildred preceded him in death. His legacy will live on and be remembered by six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and the many extended family, friends and acquaintance whose lives he touched.
    Memorials may be given to the Culver-Union Township EMS and Wesley United Methodist Church.
    A time of sharing memories with the family will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 511 School St., in Culver Monday, July 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. Rev. Larry Saunders will officiate a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family via the obituary page at www.bonineodom.com
    The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of the arrangements.