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Robert F. Cline

Robert Franklin Cline, 92, of Huntington, IN, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, at 5:28 a.m. under hospice care at Courtyard Healthcare in Goshen.

Mr. Cline served in the United States Navy during World War II as a fireman first class. He retired from Carnes Body Shop in 1987. He was a member of VFW Post 2689, a lifetime member and two-term post commander for American Legion Post 7 and was also a member of Amity Lodge 483 for 57 years.

He was nationally recognized for his lifetime love of building scratch-built remote control model boats, as well as many replicas of historical naval ships, with much of his work on display in local public venues and at one of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC.  

He was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Huntington to Franklin P. and Nellie Tumbleson Cline.  He married Betty Jean Lee on April 16, 1946, in Huntington, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 10, 1993.

Survivors include three sons, Robert J. (Sally) Cline, of Milford; Steven Cline, of Huntington; and David (Cindy) Cline, of Syracuse; nine grandchildren, Christopher (Jess) Cline, Cody Cline, Heidi (Jeff) Lamprecht, Katrina (Joe) Bradley, Erika (Matt) Gorden, Josh (Jill) Cline, Tyler (Candra) Cline, Emily (Matt) Pangborn, Julie Cline; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Calling is Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with a memorial service following immediately at 3 p.m., at Bailey-Love Mortuary. Rev. Jeff Carrell will officiate. Both Masonic and military rites will be observed. Burial at the Star of Hope Cemetery will take place at a later date.  

Memorial gifts may be made to American Legion Post 7 or Masonic Lodge 483, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 W. Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.

Online condolences may be made at www.baileylove.com.