Frank Cline Cloninger (94) passed away on October 14, 2018 in Newton, NC. He was looking forward to Heaven and seeing Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, face to face! He was born on March 13, 1924 to the late Dewey Shuford Cloninger and late Flossie Cline Cloninger of Maiden. He was also preceded in death by his wife Rachel Weaver Cloninger, and his brothers, Col. Adrian Cloninger and Lamar Cloninger.
Frank graduated from Maiden High School in 1940. Following graduation, he attended Lenoir Rhyne College, however his studies were interrupted when he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. Frank served his country in the European Theater of Operations during the war. Upon returning home, he completed his studies and graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1948.
Frank worked in sales for Carolina Mills, Inc. for 42 years and retired as Vice President of their subsidiary, Carolina Maiden Corp. During his career he served on the Board of Directors for American Yarn Spinners Association, Carolina Yarn Association, and Catawba Valley Hosiery Association.
Frank was active in his local community, serving as President of the Newton-Conover Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and the 2016 recipient of the Rotary Dr. William T. MacLauchlin Memorial Award, exemplifying nobility of character and personal integrity. Frank was the past Master of the Maiden Masonic Lodge #592; served on the Board of Directors for Catawba Country Club and American Red Cross; and was a member of American Legion Post #15 in Newton. He was an active member at First United Methodist Church in Newton serving in several capacities through the years and was a faithful member of the Parker Sunday School Class.
Those left to cherish his memory are his family: sons, Steve Cloninger and wife, Katie of Conover and Bruce Cloninger and wife, Michelle of Conover; daughter, Linda Baird and husband, David of Hickory; six grandchildren: Jason Cloninger, Elizabeth Newsom, David Cloninger, Jennifer Cloninger Pitts, Rachel Walker, and Rebecca Walker; plus great-granddaughter, Loralei Howell; sister-in-law, Becky Cloninger of Newton; and a nephew, Jerry Cloninger (Debbie) and their son John of San Clemente, CA.
The Cloninger family wish to express their deepest appreciation to the 6th floor nursing staff at CVMC, the nursing staff at Abernethy Laurels North Manor , and Carolina Caring (hospice) staff who gave Frank such loving care in his last months.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Newton, with Rev. Lara Willis Greene officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:45 p.m., prior to the service. The Parker Sunday School Class will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. Graveside inurnment will be held following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Flossie Cloninger Scholarship Fund c/o Maiden United Methodist Church, 303 N. Main Avenue, Maiden, NC 28650, or to Newton First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 926, Newton, NC 28658.
