Hope-Kline (Imbody) Family Fund

The Hope-Kline (Imbody) Family Fund was created in 2025 as a field of interest fund supporting three causes important to the family: Christian faith-based programs, animal welfare causes, including livestock and the agriculture industry serving Marion County (Ohio), and alcohol and drug prevention programming and mental health services in Marion.

The fund forever honors the memory of the Kline Family – Michael & Paula Kline and their sons, Michael Alen Kline II (1982-2007) and Phillip Imbody Kline (1984-2011).

Michael, who passed in early 2025, was a mechanic, having worked at dealerships in the area including Mathews Ford & Honda in Marion. Michael graduated from Pleasant High School in 1972 and attended both Ohio State Marion and Marion Technical College. Michael and Paula were married in 1978 and were members of the LaRue United Methodist Church.

Michael II was a forklift operator at Genco, graduated from Elgin High School in 2001, was a member of 4-H and the Emanuel Reformed Church. He loved riding motorcycles, four wheelers, and dirt bikes. He loved to tinker with computers and Xboxes.

Phillip worked in assembly at Whirlpool Corp. He was a 2003 graduate of Elgin High School, played in the band, and sang in the Elgin Quartet. He was a member of the Emanuel Reformed Church and sang in the choir. Like his brother, he loved riding four wheelers and was a good mechanic.