John Dixon Cline, 91, of 104 Kester Drive, Cherryville died Thursday, February 10, 2011 at his home.

Born January 24, 1920 in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Zeb Cline Sr. and Pearl Borders Cline.  He was preceded in death by two wives Violet Austell Cline and Frances Beaver Wyatt Cline; five siblings, Edwin Cline, Lamar Cline, Z.V. Cline, Jr., Clayton Putnam, Mary Lou Putnam.

He began his career as a farmer after serving in World War II in Europe.  After the boll weevil hit cotton crops in Cleveland County, he worked in a mill and at Clineland Diary delivering milk.  In 1960, he and his wife, Violet, became the managers at the Cleveland County Home.  He remained there until it closed in 1968.  At this time he moved his family back to the farm.

He enjoyed gardening and sharing the bounty with family and friends.  He was a lifelong member and former deacon at Elizabeth Baptist Church with all of his daughters attending there with him.

Mr. Cline is survived by five daughters and their husbands:  Linda & Toby Thrift, Peggy & Dennis Goforth, Sue & J. L. Hamrick, Johnnie & Doug Ingle, and Debi & Mills Curry all of Shelby; Grandchildren:  Raquel & Lee Garrison, Amanda Scism, Jessica & Daniel Durham, D & Amy Goforth, John & Sally Hamrick, Lindsay & Jessie Hamrick, Lacey Ingle, Cline Ingle, John Curry; and 17 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-laws Ambrose & Jean Cline and Elsie Cline of Shelby.

The family wants to especially thank his caregivers:  Carolyn Fletcher, Vickie Duncan, and Shanti Jadoobir.

Funeral:  3:30pm Sunday at Elizabeth Baptist Church

Burial:  Immediately following the service in the church cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation:  The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:30pm Sunday at Elizabeth Baptist Church and all other times the family will be at the home.

Officiated by: Dr. Rit Varriale and Rev. Jeff Brendle.

Memorials:  Above and Beyond Building Fund at Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 North Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152 and Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Cline

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com