Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/8/2004

William C. Kline

Sept. 15, 1947 -- Jan. 6, 2004

William C. "Bill" Kline, 56, of Johnson Strawberry Farm, Wolf Lake, Ind., passed away of a heart attack on Tuesday morning, Jan. 6, in Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was one of five children born to Raymond Carl Kline and Marjorie Jeanette (Klowetter) Kline of Mishawaka, Ind. His parents preceded him in death.

Bill grew up in Mishawaka, being baptized at First Baptist Church and attending Mishawaka High School. His love of cars, trucks and motorcycles made it natural for him to own a Harley and drive a semi as a teamster for Champion Products. A bad eye and a weak heart forced him into early retirement, but with a dog at his side, he was happy to "shoot the breeze" with friends and family.

Surviving family includes his wife, Becky; a daughter, Denise (Rob) Nicks; three stepdaughters, Denise (Jamey) Elsasser, Donna Yeakey and Donielle Reidenback; a stepson, John (Rebecca) Patridge; two brothers, David (Ann) and Raymond (Pat); a sister, Patricia (Roger) Coffman, all of Mishawaka; and another sister, Wendy (Terry) Combs of Cedar Park, Texas. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, in Community Brethren Church, 811 Colfax Ave., Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County or to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Ind.