Paul Blaine Kline, 90, of Herndon, Va., and formerly of Clearfield, died at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.
Born Aug. 22, 1924 in Clearfield, he was the son of Walter and Lois (Graffius) Kline.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Wisor) Kline, whom he married July 24, 1946, in Clearfield.
Surviving are two children, Paul Kline and his wife, Linda of State College and Peggy Sorbera and her husband, Joseph of Broadlands, Va.
Surviving are four granddaughters, Anne Hanover, Elizabeth Joseph, Lori Kline-Gil and Tracy Kline Gonzalez and six great-grandchildren, Ethan and Travis Hanover, Jenna, Brooke and Leah Joseph and Zachary Gonzalez.
Also surviving is a twin sister, Pauline Blake of San Diego, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rex; and a great-grandson, Ryan Hanover.
Born and raised in Clearfield, Mr. Kline joined the U.S. Army after graduating from the Clearfield High School in 1943. A World War II veteran, he served with the 283rd Field Artillery Battalion in the European Theatre from June 19, 1943 through April 6, 1946.
He landed on Utah Beach Aug. 9, 1944 as part of the liberation of France. He was awarded a French Legion of Honor medal for service to France.
He participated in the battles of Mortain, Colmar and Dessenheim in France, as well as the battles of Cologne, Nuremberg and Munich in Germany. He was present at the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp. He was awarded the Purple Heart for shrapnel injuries received Feb. 25, 1945.
Upon returning to Pennsylvania after the war, Mr. Kline was employed by Harbison-Walker Construction. In retirement, he loved spending time with family, traveling with his wife and visiting his boyhood home in Shiloh where he enjoyed hunting.
He devoted countless hours volunteering with various civic organizations. He was a member of Mount Joy United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. A gifted singer, he performed gospel music at several local churches throughout the years.
Mr. Kline participated in various civic organizations, including the Lions Club, Pennsylvania State Grange, the Mosquito Creek Sportsmen’s Association, the Clearfield Volunteer Firemen Association, where he was a life member, and the Clearfield County Area on Aging where he served on the board and delivered meals.
He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Disabled American Veterans and the American Society of the French Legion of Honor.
Family and friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Kenneth Leonard officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Crest Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Clearfield Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Mount Joy United Methodist Church, RR 2, Clearfield, PA 16830.
To send online tributes, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc., Clearfield.