Kenneth H. Kline, Sr.

Kenneth H. Kline, Sr., 91, of Pottsville, died Saturday at Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Pottsville.

He was born June 7, 1931 in Allentown, a son of the late Ralph E. Sr., and Helen Kleppinger, Kline.

He was a 1949 graduate of Allentown High School, a 1953 graduate of Millersville University with a degree in Industrial Arts and attended Muhlenberg University for his history certification.

He was a teacher at Jim Thorpe High School, where he coached basketball. He then came to Pottsville Area High School where he taught driver's ed and health, he was also the golf coach and head basketball coach. Prior to retiring he taught shop at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School.

He had an extensive coaching career throughout his life. He coached JV Boys Basketball at Coplay High School from 1954 to 1956, Jim Thorpe High School from 1957 to 1963 where his record was 101 wins and 66 losses. He led the team to 4 District 11 Championships in 1957, 59, 62 and 63, 2 Black Diamond League Championships in 1962 and 63, and won the State Championship in 1962. At the 1963 State Championship game Jim Thorpe lost by 1 on a LAST SECOND buzzer beater. While at Pottsville Area High School he coached basketball from 1964 to 1978 where his record was 201 wins and 153 losses. He led the crimson tide to the East Penn Championship in 1964. He coached basketball at Mt. Carmel Area High School from 1979 to 1980 where he had a record of 36 wins and 26 losses. From 1981 to 1984, he coached Blue Mountain Area High School basketball with a record  52 wins and 47 losses. From 1989 to 1991 he coached basketball at Panther Valley High School. His entire Varsity Basketball Coaching Career was 31 Years, with a record of 437 wins and 323 losses.

Ken was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, Yorkville Hose Fire Co. Pottsville, an inductee of the Pottsville Area High School All Sports Hall of Fame, Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame, Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Schuylkill County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. 

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Ruth Spalding and Doris Lentz; 2 brothers, Richard Kline and Ralph E. Kline, Jr.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years who was also his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Haas Kline; 4 sons, Kenneth H. Kline, Jr. and his fiancée Lori Ofner, Bethlehem; Todd R. Kline and his wife Kathleen, Easton; Dennis R. Kline and his wife Lori, Bel Air, MD; Scott C. Kline and his wife Carol, Landisville; a daughter, Melanine Schaffer and her husband James, Lititz; 13 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held Thursday at 11AM from Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, with Rev. Chris Rothharpt officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing from 6-8PM Wednesday and 10AM until the time of services Thursday at the church. There will be no viewing at the funeral home. The family would prefer remembrances in memory of Ken be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Massachusetts 01061-0515. Interment will follow at St. John No. 2 Cemetery, Pottsville. 

Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.

Please share your memories and condolences with the Kline Family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com

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