James Max Cline

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

April 6, 1915 - Oct. 27, 2008

BENKELMAN -- James Max Cline, 93, formerly of Parks/Benkelman, died Monday (Oct. 27, 2008) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

He was born April 6, 1915, in Haddam, Kan., to Marty and Mayme (Strayer) Cline. As a small child, he moved with his family to Nebraska. He graduated from the eighth grade at Allston.

He farmed with his brother, John, for several years on a farm north of Parks. He later bought a farm north of Parks, where he farmed until his retirement in 1998.

On Feb. 19, 1941, he was united in marriage to Velma Jane Baney at Benkelman.

He was an active member of the Parks community and helped build the Parks Methodist Church. He later moved his membership to the Benkelman United Methodist Church where he was a member for nearly 50 years. He served on the Parks School Board for 15 years and drove a school bus for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marty and Mayme Cline; brothers, Gerald Cline, Joseph "John" Cline, Carl "Bill" Cline; and sisters, Geraldine "Dean" Mundt, Phyllis "Sally" Yehle and Joyce Miller.

Survivors include his wife, Velma Cline of McCook; daughters, Merril Jane McMichael and husband, Marvin of Gothenburg and Erlene Mae Coghill and husband, Jim of Ogallala; sister, Vira "Jeanne" Denny of California; brother, Laddie "Bud" Cline of Benkelman; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday from 1-6 p.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. (MDT) at United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Brian Fong officiating. Interment will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery.

It is suggested that memorials be given to the United Methodist Church or to the American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.