Mrs. Betty L. Cline

Betty L. Cline, 91, of Deephaven, Minnesota (formerly of Bluffton); beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and musician extraordinaire; passed away peacefully in the presence of family members at Methodist Hospital in Minneapolis on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. Loving mother of Carol (Tom) Higgins and Bill (Jane Ernst) Cline, both of Bluffton; and David (Judy Ellenberger) Cline of Deephaven; she was devoted to her grandchildren Joy Higgins, April (Jacey) Poulson, Joe Cline, and Bethany Cline; and great grandchildren Ava Poulson and Owen Poulson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather W. C. Ratliff; her husband, Robert A. Cline, whom she married in 1945; and her granddaughter Amy Higgins. Betty was born January 7, 1922 in Moores Hill, Indiana, to Charles P. and Olive M. Grimsley. She became a resident of Bluffton in 1932 when her mother became Music Supervisor of the Bluffton schools. She graduated from Bluffton High School in Bluffton in 1939 and was a 1942 graduate of Indiana University School of Music, which she attended on a voice scholarship. She was a Life Member of the Indiana University Alumni Association. In 1998, Betty was inducted into the Bluffton High School Hall of Fame in its inaugural year. Following her college graduation, she immediately began a teaching career which would ultimately include 24 years of service. Her first teaching position, Supervisor of Music for Washington, Indiana schools, began shortly before she turned 21 years of age. Betty went on to teach in the schools of southern Wells County – at Liberty Center, Jackson Township, and through consolidation at Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School as Choral Director, retiring in 1976. In this period, she directed oratorio performances in local communities and established a successful swing choir program at Southern Wells. She was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association. From an early age she was deeply involved in church music, “one of the loves of my life,” she said. She was alto soloist at First Congregational Church of Columbus, Ohio in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s; held leadership positions in choirs in Bloomington and Washington, Indiana; and from the mid-1950’s to the mid-2000’s was devoted to the music program of First United Methodist Church in Bluffton. After establishing a successful children’s choir program, she succeeded her mother as Director of Music. She became a Diaconal Minister of Music and for more than 35 years continued the growth and development of the music program, leading the esteemed Chancel Choir and founding and directing the Bellaires Handbell Choir. Betty was a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, she was an active participant at Epworth Forest Choir School, holding leadership positions and touring Europe with the School’s Sounds of Hope Chorus. She cherished her association with sororities Tri Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, Sigma Alpha Iota, and her membership in the Foltz Literary Club. Just as her contributions as a music director and teacher were important to many people, her work as a vocal soloist touched countless listeners in churches and concert halls in cities throughout the region. Those who heard her in her prime, and for many years thereafter, remember a voice of uncommon power and beauty guided by the highest standards of sensitivity to the text being sung. Though she sang primarily oratorio and art song literature, she could also successfully entertain audiences with popular songs. Bluffton residents enjoyed unforgettable performances of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “Love For Sale” in Tri Kappa’s Red Stocking Follies in the 1960’s and on a more recent occasion, “When You Got It, Flaunt It” and “We’ll Catch Up Some Other Time.” A friend recently described Betty as “A lady for the ages,” and noted the inspiring effect of her grace, dignity and zest for life. A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Bluffton, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 with calling one hour prior at 9:30 a.m. There will be calling at Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home on Monday, Dec. 9 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Tri Kappa Service Memorial Service taking place at 2:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be made to the music program of Bluffton First United Methodist Church, Creative Arts Council of Wells County, or The Society of the Friends of Music at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Friends can send online condolences to Betty’s family at www.thomarich.com.

Mrs. Betty L. Cline

January 7, 1922 - December 5, 2013