Mr. Thomas Kline: U.S. Army 3rd Armored Division, November 1943 to November 1945 in the ETO

The Frederick News-Post Online - Frederick County Maryland Daily Newspaper

Mr. Thomas Kline

As originally published on Thursday, February 5, 2009.

Thomas Kline, 83, of Hagerstown and formerly of Wolfsville, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, at his home.


Born Aug. 31, 1925, in Wolfsville, he was the son of the late Austin L. and Mary E. (Winfield) Kline.

He was a member of Grossnickle Church of the Brethren of Myersville. He was employed by Victor Products of Hagerstown and Hennesey Products of Chambersburg, Pa.

Thomas was a veteran of the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Division, serving from November 1943 to November 1945 in the European conflict of World War II. He was wounded in action in Cologne, Germany, and spent seven months in hospitals in England and then transferred to Augusta, Ga. Thomas was awarded the Purple Heart, and the Good Conduct Medal, among other medals.

Thomas was an avid hunter. He particularly enjoyed hunting grouse and was quite the expert at it. He loved spending time in the mountains.
Thomas loved his family and enjoyed all of their special times together. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of almost 65 years, Eleanor Mae (Kipe) Kline, who was his primary caregiver during his lengthy illness.

He is also survived by children, Bonnie Mae Cline and husband, Floyd, of Myersville, Mary Elizabeth Cline and husband, Robert, of Smithsburg, Thomas Samuel Kline and wife, Sue, of Clear Spring, Steven Eugene Kline and wife, Bonnie, of Cascade and Karen Sue Crummitt and husband, Charles, of Jefferson; sister, Annabelle Moser and husband, Carroll, of Harmony; grandchildren, Cathie Clemson and husband, Robert, Mike Cline and wife, Connie, Brian Cline and wife, Wendy, Dana Woods and friend, Jeff, Robert Keller Jr. and wife, Robin, Travis Keller and wife, Renee, Stephanie Smith and husband, Tim, Zachary Kline, Charles (CJ) Crummitt Jr. and Cory Crummitt; stepgrandchildren, Larry Glass Jr., Stacey White and husband, John, and Erica Joyce and friend, Daniel; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Clemson, Daniel Clemson, David (DJ) Woods Jr., Chase Woods, Taylor Cline, Allison Cline, Hayden Keller and Kayla Cline; 16 step-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Quentin Grossnickle; sister-in-law, Juanita Grove; special friends, Arnold Draper, the Rev. Randy Reid and his friends from Hospice of Washington County.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Grossnickle; and brothers, Glenn Kline and Austin Kline Jr.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Grossnickle Church of the Brethren. The Rev. Randy Reid and Tim Ritchie-Martin will officate. Burial will be in the Grossnickle Church of the Brethren church cemetery with military honors given at the graveside.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at J.L. Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grossnickle Church of the Brethren, 11301 Meeting House Road, Myersville, MD 21773, Salem United Methodist Church, 12477 Wolfsville Road, Myersville, MD 21773, or Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21742.

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Please note that the obituary linked above stated that Mr. Kline won the Medal of Honor, however a correction in another local paper noted that this was a mistake, and I deleted that statement from the obituary text above. This statement still appears in the FNP obituary linked above.

The correction appears here:

Obituaries: Thomas Kline (correction)

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=216043&format=html

Submitted photo |
Thomas Kline




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R.I.P. Sir

 

As you may see I have posted a large number of obituaries to this forum over the past few hours.

I have to say that it was really eye opening to see how many veterans have passed in just the past two weeks. An average of more than one per day in my local paper, and although relatively close to Baltimore and DC, Frederick County is hardly a large metropolitan area.

My best thought to all the families and friends of all these brave souls and undying thanks to all who have served anywhere and anytime.

:mourn: :S! :trumpetplayer: