CARBONDALE, Illinois
CARBONDALE - Greg Kline, 54, of Carbondale passed away at 6:46 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Greg was born in Lincoln, Neb., to Richard Arthur and Marlyn Ann (Kritner) Kline on Wednesday, May 5, 1954. On Aug. 9, 1975, he married Karen Lee Bowden in Savanna.
He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a bachelor's degree in plant and soil sciences in May 1976 and received a master's degree in forestry in May 1978.
Greg was the city forester of Carbondale for 30 years, as well as a coach for the boys' soccer team at Carbondale Community High School for nine years. He was also involved in CSI and youth soccer in Carbondale since 1990.
Survivors include his parents; wife; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Brian and Nicole Kline of Edwardsville, Kevin Kline of Carbondale and Aaron Kline of Carbondale; one brother, Gary (Ruth) Kline of La Crosse, Wis.; and one sister, Janis (Jim) Bickford of Davenport, Iowa.
Services for Greg Kline will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale, with Jeff Doherty and Dick Kline officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to the Greg Kline Memorial Soccer Fund. They will be accepted at the funeral home and at the Carbondale Community High School Athletic Department.
This obituary was originally published in The Southern.
Karen,
I was saddened to hear that Greg had passed away. I had told myself for many years that I should visit you and Greg again to remember old friends and good times at SIU, but I did not plan it soon enough. I wish your family well and hope to visit you someday.
Sincerly, Craig Eberhart and family
Craig Eberhart
May 11, 2009 | Los Alamos, NM
Dear Karen and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Greg. It was such a honor and privilege to know and work for him. He was so full of goodness and so caring and concerned for others. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Susan Weitekamp
Susan Weitekamp
May 08, 2009 | Springfield, IL
Dear Kline Family;
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I heard about it from the news last week. It saddens me to hear about Greg. I've known Greg for three years now. He was a very dear friend. Greg was a good man with a big heart. He will be missed greatly. Greg was truly one of a kind. May God be with you during this difficult time.
Mary Ann Thomas
May 06, 2009 | Paducah, KY
Dearest Karen and family,
I was Kevin Reibel's wife and knew you all through my close friendship with Marlyn and Dick Kline. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be. I'm sure it will be very hard for some time and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers that the heartache will lessen every day. No words are adequate at times like these.
Betsy Briggs
May 04, 2009 | NAperville, IL
Karen - I am very saddened to hear about Greg. I had such a good time with you all at the reunion. I can see you two together in the halls when we were in high school. Such a fun and caring person. You and your family are in my prayers. Trust and have Faith in God's plan.
Gail Higgins
May 04, 2009 | Anna, TX
Karen,
I am so sorry to hear about Greg's passing. He was too young. I wish I could give you a hug. I pray that the Lord grant you the peace you need at this difficult time. I found out through Facebook friends. I hope you have friends and family near by to comfort you. God's Love to you Karen,
Krista Clifton Adkins
May 03, 2009 | Wylie, TX
Karen, Brian, Kevin and Aaron, we were shocked to hear of your loss. We appreciated getting the opportunity to meet you all through soccer and enjoyed the discussions we had with Greg about the sport. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob & Debbie Vance & Family
May 03, 2009 | Highland, IL
Dear Kline Family,
We send our condolences. Your loss is devastating. We know Phillip (Okoro), our beloved foster son, greatly appreciated the support of Coach Kline, and we know he greeted Coach in heaven with a huge smile.
Sheri House & Kurt Hougland
May 01, 2009 | Collinsville, IL
Karen and family:
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. As a Savanna High School classmate and friend to both of you, it has been years since I’ve seen either of you. However, I heard of your loss through friends on Facebook. Greg was far too young to have passed and I’m sure this is a sudden shock to all of you. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. I send you positive and loving thoughts and ask the Great Spirit to...
Roger Carlson
May 01, 2009 | Queen Creek, AZ
