Wilbur H. Cline

Wilbur H. Cline, age 100, of Port Orange, FL, passed away the afternoon of July 22, 2023. Wilbur Harry Cline was born in Lebanon, Ohio, to James and Louisa Cline. He grew up on a farm in Lower Salem, Ohio. He served in the US Army during WW2 in Italy and received the Purple Heart and Good Conduct medals. He achieved the rank of Corporal and walked the entire length of Italy from Naples to the Swiss border in constant combat operations against a determined German resistance. He was the original GI Joe. He came home, attended Ohio University and became an accountant. He married the love of his life, Juanita Schmeltzer in 1949, and then raised 5 children in Grove City, Ohio. He was a devoted husband and protective father, who always put his family first. He was an avid golfer, hitting 8 holes-in-one over a 70-year time span and claimed a championship at Foxfire Golf Club in Ohio in 1981. One of the Greatest Generation, dad exemplified classic American values, work ethic, love of country, and devotion to family and God. He was honored on the floor of the United States House of Representatives on June 13, 2023, for his service to his country and in honor of his 100th birthday. He passed at home after having received all Catholic Sacraments just before the end of his life. You will be missed dad. You were a man amongst men. You are with the Saints and our Lord and it was the greatest privilege of our lives to have had you for our father.

He is predeceased by his wife Juanita and survived by his boys Mark Cline, Matt (and spouse Debra) Cline, Mike Cline, and Mitch (and spouse Nicole) Cline and by his daughter Suzanne (and spouse Anthony) Treneff and by his grandchildren Jason and Nicholas Cline, Caitlin Schultz, Jacklyn Cline, Matthew and Margaret Cline, Colin and Emma Treneff, Darren Cunningham, Trent and Lauren Cline, and Nicholas Woodard. He also has 5 great grandchildren: Cayden, Aiko, Meili, Wolfe, and Eliza.

A Mass of Christian Burial with Cremains for Wilbur H. Cline will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, FL 32129. The Patriot Riders will then escort Wilbur and his family to his final resting space at Volusia Memorial Park, 550 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach FL for a 11:00 a.m. Burial and Military Honors, as rendered by the United States Army. A Gathering of Friends and Family for a Celebration of Wilbur's Life will then continue at the Clubhouse in Colony in the Woods from 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 1.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.VolusiaMemorialFuneral.com for the Cline family.