The Rev. Robert W. Kline, 88, founding pastor of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, died today (Friday, June 24) at 10:45 a.m. at the parish, according to Robert Tayek, communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

Kline, who was pastor emeritus in residence at the church in recent years, was assigned to assist in establishing the parish to serve Catholics in Mentor and northern Willoughby at the end of 1969. He served the congregation until retiring in January 1998.

Calling hours are 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St., Mentor.

Vespers are set for 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, followed by viewing until 9 p.m. at St. John Vianney, 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor, where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 30.

Kline, who was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1948, served as an associate or assistant pastor at several parishes before he was assigned to St. John Vianney.

He served at St. Ann Parish, now Communion of Saints, in Cleveland Heights from 1948-54, St. Joseph in Cuyahoga Falls from 1954-56 and Epiphany in Cleveland (East Side) from 1956-61.

Kline was assigned to St. Martin of Tours in Maple Heights from 1961-66 and Ascension in Cleveland (West Side) from 1966-69.

He was associated with Immaculate Conception in Willoughby for three months before taking the reins at St. John Vianney on Dec. 8, 1969.