Leavett M. "Salty" Kline

Leavett (Salty) M. Kline, age 95, of Athens passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 surrounded by family at his home in Athens, MI.  He was born on October 23, 1924, in Port Clinton, Ohio, the son of Junious and Eola (Ellithorpe) Kline.  In his teen years Leavett, his parents and some siblings moved to Athens, MI, where he later married Mary L. McIntosh.  He served in the U.S. Navy, and retired as Store Manager of Bargain Tile and Lumber in Battle Creek, MI.  He was a self-taught musician and played a variety of musical instruments.  He devoted his retirement years to playing old-time music with his friends at various venues in Michigan such as Maple Leaf Grange Hall in Nashville and Fredonia Grange Hall in Marshall, and many campgrounds and parks in the Ocala, FL, area.  He was cited as an exceptional Square Dance Caller by Michigan State University and inducted into the Michigan Fiddler's Hall of Fame.  Salty was also an avid hunter in Michigan and fisherman in Ohio, Michigan and Florida.  He was preceded in death by his wife; Mary L. Kline in 1990 and brothers; Earnest, Eugene, Junious Jr., sisters; Alberta, Millicent and Mable, grandchild; Carrie Kline, great grandchild; Jaylen Weller.  He is survived by a son; Wayne (Mike) (Regina) Kline of Union City, MI, son; Patrick (Sharon) Kline, of Athens, MI, son; Thomas Kline of Battle Creek, MI, daughter; Carol Collett of Dowagiac, MI, son; Jerry Kline of Sherwood, MI, daughter; Lisa Williams of Homestead, FL, 16 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2020 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, face masks are required. www.henryfuneralhome.org