Frederick W. "Fred" Cline

1924 - 2012

OWATONNA, Minn. - Frederick Walker Cline was born Feb. 1, 1924, in Galesburg, Ill., to Sam and Gladys (Walker) Cline and died Sept. 28, 2012, in Owatonna, Minn.
On Aug. 14, 1949, he married Louise Harshbarger. They had three children: Patricia (Rick) Morozink, Sheryl (Gary) Lashley-Cline, and Rick (Mary) Cline. Louise predeceased Fred, and in 2000 he married Norma Nelle (Wagner) Swanson, who survives.
He attended school through eighth grade in Delong, Ill., and graduated from Abingdon High School, Abingdon, Ill., in 1942. He attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill. His education was interrupted by World War II.
He received basic training in Georgia and served in Patton's 4th Armored Division in France and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war in Europe ended, he was sent to the Pacific where he served in the Philippines.
During the Korean conflict, he was recalled into the Army and served as education officer in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fred attended Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. He started an AG Dept in Kewanee, Ill., High School.
He returned to Delong/Abingdon area and started a fertilizer business, Cline Soil Service, which he owned and operated for 58 years. His logo stated "serving you since '52". Fred also worked as a rural mail carrier, as had his father. In addition, he farmed south of Abingdon. He later became a faculty member at Carl Sandburg College, teaching ag classes, and served on the board of trustees after retirement from teaching.
Fred played a very active role in Abingdon, serving on the Abingdon School Board, Abingdon City Council, and as a member of the Rotary Club. He was a member of Abingdon Christian Church where he became an elder emeritus. He also served as Post Commander of American Legion Post 381, and belonged to the 33rd Consistory of Masons in Peoria and was a member of the Shrine.
Fred was preceded in death by a sister, Diane (Al) Noland. He is survived by sisters, Eleanor (Jack) Gammon, and Marilyn (Cliff) Long; a brother, Sam (Jo) Cline; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and geat-nephews; seven grandchildren, Sara (Gordon) Koenig, Mark (Rebecca) Morozink, Emily (Austin) Kilgore, Jennifer (Tim) Boylan, Eric Cline, Daniel Cline, Andrew Cline; five great-grandchildren; and five stepchildren and seven stepgrandchildren.
Like Will Rogers, Fred never met a stranger. He loved to talk, travel, teach, farm, work hard, walk, whistle, sing, read, visit, play cards, and tell war stories.
There will be a memorial Service in Abingdon at the Christian Church on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. A private burial will be held at Meridien Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Galesburg Rescue Mission, Abingdon Christian Church, Abingdon Public Library, Abingdon Public Schools, or donor's choice.