In Memory Of
Michael Lee Cline
1955
2023
Michael Lee Cline
August 27, 1955 — September 12, 2023
Michael Lee Cline passed away after a battle with cancer in the early morning hours of Sept. 12, 2023.
Mike was born on August 27, 1955, in Fairbanks, Alaska to Susan Lorene Runyons and Ralph Lee Cline. He was the second of four children. Mike's mother passed away when he was 8 years old, a short time later his father married Irmgard Cline, who was the only mother he remembered. His father served in the Army so the family spent many years in Germany and Killeen, Texas. Mike developed a love of football while in high school. He graduated high school in Killeen, Texas, and joined the United States Air Force in September 1973, during the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Air Force until June of 1975 when he was honorably discharged.
He had difficulty finding work in Texas, so he moved to Topeka, KS where his sister lived. He worked many odd jobs before he began work at Topeka Public Schools in 1998 as custodian at Topeka High School, where he met his wife, Karen.
Both were hesitant about getting remarried, so they lived together for more than a decade before getting married on October 1, 2005. The two of them were happier together than ever before and loved each other dearly.
Mike and Karen were avid ice hockey fans and sponsored and hosted players from all over the world for 14 years. Then Covid hit and hockey left Topeka. During those 14 years, the Clines sponsored more than 45 young athletes, many of whom continue to keep in touch. The hockey family is their extended family.
In addition to ice hockey, Mike developed a love of golf and made many lifelong friends on the golf course. Traveling was also a passion and the Clines enjoyed getaways to many locations.
Mike left Topeka Public Schools and worked for the VA Hospital as a housekeeper for five years before retiring.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew, Ryan Cohee. He is survived by his wife, Karen, 3 sons: Michael Cline, Jr, Andrew Phillips (Kristy), Benjamin Phillips (Michelle), and 1 daughter, Mendy Simpson (Paul); grandchildren: Kaylin Phillips, Caley Phillips and Kyle Simpson; a brother, Ken Cline (Sherri), a sister, Lori Beard (Michael), 2 nieces, Isabella Cline and Kristy Womack (Chad) and 1 nephew, Dennis Cline (Gemma), great nieces, Leta and Madison Womack, and one great, great niece Shaelyn.
Services will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 23rd, with visitation 1 hour before the services at the Parker-Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, KS 66608.
Mike's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.
To leave a special message for Michael's family online, visit the guestbook below.
Mike was born on August 27, 1955, in Fairbanks, Alaska to Susan Lorene Runyons and Ralph Lee Cline. He was the second of four children. Mike's mother passed away when he was 8 years old, a short time later his father married Irmgard Cline, who was the only mother he remembered. His father served in the Army so the family spent many years in Germany and Killeen, Texas. Mike developed a love of football while in high school. He graduated high school in Killeen, Texas, and joined the United States Air Force in September 1973, during the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Air Force until June of 1975 when he was honorably discharged.
He had difficulty finding work in Texas, so he moved to Topeka, KS where his sister lived. He worked many odd jobs before he began work at Topeka Public Schools in 1998 as custodian at Topeka High School, where he met his wife, Karen.
Both were hesitant about getting remarried, so they lived together for more than a decade before getting married on October 1, 2005. The two of them were happier together than ever before and loved each other dearly.
Mike and Karen were avid ice hockey fans and sponsored and hosted players from all over the world for 14 years. Then Covid hit and hockey left Topeka. During those 14 years, the Clines sponsored more than 45 young athletes, many of whom continue to keep in touch. The hockey family is their extended family.
In addition to ice hockey, Mike developed a love of golf and made many lifelong friends on the golf course. Traveling was also a passion and the Clines enjoyed getaways to many locations.
Mike left Topeka Public Schools and worked for the VA Hospital as a housekeeper for five years before retiring.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew, Ryan Cohee. He is survived by his wife, Karen, 3 sons: Michael Cline, Jr, Andrew Phillips (Kristy), Benjamin Phillips (Michelle), and 1 daughter, Mendy Simpson (Paul); grandchildren: Kaylin Phillips, Caley Phillips and Kyle Simpson; a brother, Ken Cline (Sherri), a sister, Lori Beard (Michael), 2 nieces, Isabella Cline and Kristy Womack (Chad) and 1 nephew, Dennis Cline (Gemma), great nieces, Leta and Madison Womack, and one great, great niece Shaelyn.
Services will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 23rd, with visitation 1 hour before the services at the Parker-Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, KS 66608.
Mike's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.
To leave a special message for Michael's family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Lee Cline, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Guestbook
Visits: 15
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