Monsignor Roy F. Kline

He was born in Spangler, son of the late Otto and Helen (Lehmier) Kline. He retired as a priest for the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.

Surviving are two nephews: Andrew (Jackie) Kline of Camp Hill and Paul (Gail) Kline of Amelia, Va.; two great-nephews: Joshua and Caleb Kline of Amelia, Va.; and two cousins: Rosemary Kline of New Cumberland and Darlene Fritz of Chardon, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by a brother Paul; and a cousin, Helen O’Leary.

Monsignor Kline attended St. Patrick’s School in Spangler for eight years under the tutelage of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Feeling the attraction of a call to the priesthood, Monsignor Kline, through his pastor, Father Joseph C. Kreiter, made application to the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, the only seminary in the United States directly under the supervision of the Pope. There, he completed his high school, college and theological studies and was ordained at the seminary by the Apostolic Delegate to the United States on May 26, 1951.

He was first assigned as assistant pastor to Father Jeremiah P. Flynn at St. Patrick’s Parish, Newry, with the mission church of St. Anne, Claysburg. After five years in Newry, Monsignor Kline was named assistant principal of Altoona Catholic High School with residence at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. It was also at this time that he was appointed Episcopal Master of Ceremonies, a position that he held for 40 years for five bishops. At the same time, he was made the chaplain of the Catholic Daughters of the America, Eugene A. Garvey, Court No. 652, Altoona. In August of 1962, he was named Monsignor with the title of Papal Chamberlain. Then, in December of 1986, he was raised to the dignity of a Prelate of Papal of Honor to His Holiness.

In the summer of 1968, Monsignor Kline was appointed pastor of St. Therese of the Little Flower Parish in Altoona, an assignment where he remained for 27 years. All the while he continued as Master of Ceremonies. During the summers of 1946-49, as a seminarian, he attended the Pius X School of Liturgical Music in New York City, N.Y. He served on the diocesan liturgical commission for 34 years and was its chairman for 17 years. He also served on the board of directors for the Blair County Civic Music Association for 20 years and Mount Aloysius College in Cresson for eight years. In August of 1988, he led the St. Therese Parish Choir on a pilgrimage to Italy with stops in Milan, Florence, Assisi and Rome, where the choir sang for the Sunday High Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, and Monsignor concelebrated at the altar of the Chair.

In June 1995, Monsignor Kline was appointed pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Duncansville. While there, he installed new carpet in the church and new electronic chimes were installed in the bell tower. In June of 2001, he retired after 50 years of service and took up residence at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona as a senior priest with sacramental ministry. He accepted chaplaincy of the Serra Club in the summer of 2001.

His travels have taken him to Quebec and Ontario in Canada; Florida; Texas; Louisiana; New Mexico; Arizona; Colorado; California; Washington; Hawaii; Michigan; the New England states; Italy; France; Holland; Spain; Mallorca; Germany; Austria; Switzerland; Belgium; Mexico; Tangiers in Africa; aloft in a hot air balloon; and he visited relatives in Ohio and Virginia, as well. In his free moments, he would be found listening to his extensive collection of classical music recordings.

Friends will be received from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at the Cathedral, Bishop Mark Bartchak celebrant. Committal Rites will be at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Nicktown. Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home, Altoona.

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