Lebanon County PA Archives Obituaries.....Kline,  Ernest P.   May 13, 2009
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  Published in the Lebanon Daily News on 5/15/2009 
  Kline, Ernest P.    
   
   
  Pennsylvania's 25th Lieutenant Governor, Ernest P. Kline, passed peacefully 
  into Eternal Rest on May 13, 2009, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. A staunch 
  Catholic, Democrat and Steeler fan, Ernie was born on June 20, 1929, to the 
  late Elna Natali Kline and Allen J. Kline in Allentown PA. Raised in Webster 
  PA, he became known as "Chief." Always the organizer and leader of every group 
  in which he was involved, Ernie served as Class President and starting 
  quarterback for his Rostraver High School graduating class of 1947. After 
  attending Duquesne University for a brief time, he began a career in radio news 
  broadcasting in 1948 in Charleroi, PA, with stops in Connellsville and 
  Kittanning. In Kittanning, he met his wife Josephine. Together, they moved to 
  Beaver Falls PA, where he worked at WBVP until 1967. It was there that he, 
  along with the help of his wife Jo, began a long and storied journey in 
  Pennsylvania Democratic politics. In addition to politics, Ernie was involved 
  in every aspect of civic life in Beaver Falls and the life of his longtime 
  parish, St. Mary's. Whether helping with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast or 
  quietly assisting those in need with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ernie 
  lived the motto of The Christophers, "It is better to light one candle, than to 
  curse the darkness." Ernie truly believed in the phrase "public servant" and 
  worked tirelessly for the people of the Commonwealth of PA. He began service in 
  1955 as a councilman in the City of Beaver Falls and continued as an appointed 
  member of the Beaver Falls Municipal Authority. In 1961, Governor David L. 
  Lawrence appointed Ernie as a Workers' Compensation Referee for Beaver, 
  Washington and Greene counties. Ernie was elected to the State Senate and began 
  service in 1965 as the Senator from the 47th district. In August 1967, his 
  legislative Democratic colleagues elected him floor leader, the youngest person 
  to hold that post. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1970, moved his family 
  to Lebanon County and served with Milton J. Shapp. In that role he served as 
  presiding officer of the Senate, Chairman of the Board of Pardons, CoChairman 
  of the National Bicentennial Commission, Chairman of the Governor's Commission 
  on Basic Education, and Chairman of the Energy Council. After leaving public 
  life in 1979, he was president of Kline Associates Ltd., a government-
  consulting business currently run by his children, Monica and John. Again, he 
  pursued many volunteer projects, including the establishment of the Ronald 
  McDonald House of the Hershey Medical Center, served as Chairman of the Board 
  of the United Way of Lebanon County and umpired Palmyra Borough girls' 
  softball. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, loving brother Allen, and 
  cherished nephew Mark. He leaves his wife Josephine with whom he would have 
  celebrated 60 years of marriage in June; brother William and wife Kathy of 
  Madison, Wis., a host of relatives and friends across the Commonwealth and his 
  seven children: Patricia Kline Just and husband Fred (Pittsburgh); the 
  Honorable Samuel A. "Gus" Kline and wife Ann (Lebanon); Michael Kline 
  (Harrisburg); John Kline and wife Monica Krammer Kline (Reading); Vincent Kline 
  and wife Jennifer Lauck Kline (Harrisburg); Myra Ann Taylor (Harrisburg); 
  Monica Kline and husband Dennis Balbac (Myerstown). His grandchildren, who were 
  so precious to him, are Gregory Kline, Adrienne Kline Cummings and husband 
  Christopher, Audrey Kline Farrell and husband Joseph, Andrew Kline (currently 
  serving our country in Iraq), Abby Kline, Paul Kline and wife Kristen Crimbring 
  Kline, Anthony Kline, Lauren E. Kline, Carolyn E. Just, Kevin V. Kline, Thomas 
  E. Kline, Kathryn J. Taylor. To all of us he left a legacy of faith, commitment 
  to fearlessly defending one's beliefs while respectfully listening to 
  dissenting views, a love of the English language, viewing life with hope, and 
  treating every person with respect. Visitors may greet the family at Rothermel 
  Funeral Home, S. Railroad & Pine Streets, Palmyra PA from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
  Friday, May 15. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Way of 
  Lebanon County, 801 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042 The Mass of Christian 
  Burial will be offered on Saturday, May 16, at 10 AM at the Church of the Holy 
  Spirit, Palmyra, by longtime family friend Msgr. Thomas Smith of St. Joseph 
  Parish, Lancaster PA and assisted by the Rev. Jim Podlesny, O.S.B., pastor of 
  Church of the Holy Spirit. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may the 
  Perpetual Light shine upon him.  
  Published in the Lebanon Daily News on 5/15/2009  
  
  
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