Carroll LaRue Kline, 84, of Findlay, passed away surrounded by her loving family on March 23, 2024 at Bridge Hospice in Blanchard Valley Hospital.
Carroll was known for her kind and caring ways. She loved life, always had a smile on her face and spread joy with her positive upbeat attitude. Carroll always claimed her Irish heritage since she was named after her great-grandfather Patrick T. O’Carroll who immigrated from Kerry County, Ireland to the United States in 1873. Unfortunately, after battling non-hodgkin’s lymphoma for ten years she suffered a stroke on St. Patrick’s Day.
Carroll was born July 19, 1939 in Bowling Green, Ohio to Kenneth and Claudia (DeWalt) Rider.
Carroll’s family moved to Hoytville, Ohio in 1949 so her father could manage the alfalfa mill across the street from their home. Carroll loved growing up in a small town and the Sunday trips to Tontogany, Ohio to visit her grandparents farm and extended family. Carroll was a talented and award winning baton twirler. At the age of twelve, Carroll started and led her own majorette corp, the Strutettes, that marched in local parades. Carroll graduated from Jackson Township School in 1957 where she was a cheerleader and drum majorette of the band.
Carroll married her high school sweetheart, Robert James Kline, on October 10,1958 in Bowling Green, Ohio. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last October. The couple lived for 15 years in Bowling Green where Carroll worked at LaSalles, the State Highway Department and home daycare.
While living in Bowling Green, they had two daughters, Martine Moran and Marcy (Roger) Clark, both of Findlay.
In the summer of 1971 the family moved into their home in the newly developed Hillcrest subdivision in Findlay. Carroll soon began working for Findlay City Schools. Her positions included classroom aide at Wilson Vance for several years, and many years as classroom aide for the orthopaedically impaired students at Donnell and later on at Millstream South. Carroll loved and cared for these students like they were her own.
After retiring in 2005, she has kept in close contact for over nineteen years with several former students. Carroll was thrilled to be presented with the “Secor Award” honoring her dedication to the special education program and her students. Carroll also worked many years as a classroom aide for the Findlay Summer Migrant Program and in the evening as a tutor in ABLE, an adult education program working with GED and ESL students. Carroll was very proud of being the first of three generations of educators in her family.
Through the years, Carroll and Bob enjoyed taking many car trips around the United States, many visits to Disney World, and traveling with family to Mexico, Puerto Rico and Curacao.
Carroll loved her children and grandchildren dearly and spent many years attending musical and sporting events at Liberty Benton and Van Buren High School. She especially loved cheering on her granddaughter’s Lady Knights basketball team. Carroll loved taking daily walks to enjoy God’s beauty. In later years, she loved watching her grandson farm, car rides around the countryside, long phone conversations with her grandson in Texas, eating brunch at Denny’s Restaurant, spending time with family, playing with her great-grandchildren, and reading the Bible.
Carroll will be greatly missed by her surviving husband, daughters and loving brother, Kenneth (Nan) Rider II, Deshler, beloved grandchildren Brandon (Amanda) Moran, San Antonio, Texas, Lauren (Isaiah) Schumacker and Tyler (Carly) Clark both of Van Buren, great—grandchildren Addisyn and Kensley Schumacker, and many other friends and family.
The family would like to thank Doctor Sharon Cole and her staff for the many years of on-going treatment and Bridge Hospice at Blanchard Valley Hospital for their wonderful care and support for our family.
Coldren Crates will be handling Carroll’s arrangements. By her request, a private family burial service will be held at Bechtel Cemetery in Van Buren.
Memorial contributions can be made to Cancer Patient Services at 1800 North Blanchard Street Suite 120 Findlay, OH 45840.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.coldrencrates.com.
