Gary Robert Kline, 69, of Rochester, Indiana, died on May 19, 2026, at his home. He was born on October 5, 1956, in Marion, Indiana, to Robert and Alice (Frasure) Kline.
Gary was a 1974 graduate of Northfield High School and attended the University of Saint Francis, where he played baseball. He spent his entire career in the automotive industry, a journey that took him from Florida to Northern California and eventually to Hawaii, where he spent many cherished years embracing the Aloha spirit, forming lifelong friendships, and enjoying the beauty of the islands’ golf courses.
He was a gifted salesman – gregarious, warm, and a natural people person who never met a stranger. He was a passionate sports enthusiast and hosted his own sportscast on the radio while living in Hawaii. After returning to Indiana in retirement, Gary became a member of the North Manchester Moose Lodge and continued enjoying the game he loved, most often at Sycamore Golf Club.
Gary had a soft spot for animals, especially cats and dogs, and was known for feeding stray cats everywhere he lived, from the fields of Indiana to the hillsides of Hawaii.
He is survived by his companion, Janet Egolf of Rochester; family members Kari, Russell, Evan and Anna Thirsk of Chicago, Illinois; Nicholas, Jennifer, Kevin, and Kelly Mayerik of Winfield, Illinois; T.J., Christian, Austin, and Josephine Murray of Cleveland, Ohio; Randy and Tracy Kline of Wabash; Todd (Marcia) Kline of Wabash; and Keith and Kelly Kline of Columbia City, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Alice Kline, and Edward Mayerik.
A Celebration of Life for Gary will be held on July 5th from 2-4 pm at Arlington Public House, 703 Main Street, Rochester, Indiana 46975.
Arrangements are entrusted to Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Eddie Mayerik Foundation or the Fulton County Animal Shelter.
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