1 Lt. Eric C. Kline

1 Lt. Eric C. Kline, 27, of Meadville, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2010 at his home following a sudden illness.

He was born February 11, 1983 in Meadville, a son of Edward C. and Robin Nichols Kline, Jr.

Eric was a 2001 graduate of Meadville Area Senior High, where he participated in cross country and was a team captain, and the Crawford County Vocational-Technical School in the drafting and design program.

Eric enlisted in the PA Army National Guard in 2000 and attended basic training at Ft. Benning, GA.  Following basic training he attended Edinboro University and served as a cadet in the Army ROTC program and graduated December 15, 2005 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.  He earned a commission as Infantry 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned as a platoon leader in the 1-112th Infantry Battalion.  In September 2008, Eric deployed with his battalion to Iraq where he was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his hard work and dedication to the mission and for the leadership he provided to his men.  He was also awarded the Good Conduct, Army Reserve Components, National Defense, Iraqi Campaign with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, and T.J. Stewart Medals and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device and Army Service Ribbon.  He was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan at the time of his passing.

He was formerly a member of Boy Scout Troop 209, Meadville and received his Eagle Scout Award in January 2001 and he was a member of Vernon Central Volunteer Fire Department.

He was a member of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church and was a former Altar Server.

Survivors include his parents, Edward and Robin Kline, Jr. of Meadville; 2 sisters, Ryan Kline and her fiancé AE3 Mark Feczko of Clifton Heights and Renee Blystone and her husband Brian of Venango; a brother, Edward Kline, III and his wife Jennifer of Zeeland, MI; his maternal grandparents, Rich and Gladys Nichols of Meadville; his paternal grandparents, Edward and Margie Kline, Sr. of Linesville; his girlfriend, Katie McKibben of Moisertown; nieces and nephew, Kaylie Miller, Marcus Blystone, and Lauren Kline; his goddaughter, Madalyn Kline; his best friends, Capt. John Reed of Sewickley and 1 Lt. Larry Knott of Erie; and aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by an uncle, John Nichols.

Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Rd., Conneaut Lake with a Rosary service at 3:45 p.m. and a Scripture Prayer service at 8:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Brigid Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville with Fr. Mark O'Hern of St. Brigid's and Fr. Richard Allen, Battalion Chaplain as co-Celebrants.

Interment with military honors will be in St. Brigid Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Vernon Central Volunteer Fire Department, 16589 McMath Ave., Meadville, PA 16335 or Boy Scout Troop 209, 970 2nd St., Meadville, PA 16335.