Mary Anthonia (Bioletto) Kline of Chariton, formerly of Williamson, died of COVID-19 at the age of 93 on Dec. 23, 2020, at the Lucas County Health Center. She was born at home on Jan. 17, 1927, in Vandergrift, PA, to Battista (Batt) and Mary Marguerite (Vairo) Bioletto. When she was a young girl the family moved to Williamson, where she attended school through the 11th grade. She lived in rural Chariton and near Williamson until moving to Southgate Apartments in Chariton in 2008. She married George H. Kline on August 25, 1944, in Princeton, MO, and they celebrated their 60th anniversary prior to his death in 2004. Their son, George M. (Shorty) was born in 1945. Mary and George helped raise nieces and nephews, and their home was always open to family members and Shorty’s friends. All the kids loved to come to Mary and George’s house.
With a great sense of humor and a serious work ethic, Mary was a great friend to many and a hard worker all her life. She was employed at the Gross-Galesburg Pants Factory in Chariton and then in the hot lunch program at Williamson School for 13 years. She was always active in her community, reading letters and delivering mail at Chariton Manor nursing home; helping at the Chariton Senior Center; raising funds to build the Williamson Community Center and volunteering at countless events there over the years, including funeral dinners, showers and reunions; supporting the Williamson Fire Department and the Williamson School Museum; working elections; helping distribute the Williamson newsletter; serving as president of the Resident Council at Southgate, and much more. She was a member of the Williamson Community Church and the Quilters’ Club.
George and Mary loved music and camping, attending jam sessions and music festivals all over Iowa, where they danced and enjoyed the music along with their friends, especially the Red Haw Campers and the Road Kill Gang. Over the years, Mary also loved shopping with her daughter-in-law Marti, gardening, sewing many quilts and crocheting numerous scarves and afghans for friends and family members. She loved jigsaw puzzles and was also a wicked (and competitive) card, Bingo and Aggravation player.
Mary’s family was the source of her greatest pride. She and George spent many hours on the bleachers or in auditorium seats, first watching Shorty play sports and then enjoying their grandchildren perform or compete in wrestling, baseball, music, theater, softball, basketball and horse shows. She was happy to live long enough to adore her six great-grandchildren, as well.
Mary is survived by her son, Shorty (Marti) of Mitchellville; grandchildren Adam (Heidi) Kline of Bondurant; Molly (Brad) Wells of Waterloo; and Megan (Chad) Allen of rural Runnells; great-grandchildren Gabe and Zach Kline, Addison and Ava Wells, and Makayla and Colby Allen. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; a daughter, Linda June (age 13 months), a son, Joe Halbert (stillborn); and a sister, Marguerite.
Due to the coronavirus situation, no services will be held at this time. Memorials may be directed to the Williamson Community Center or the Williamson Fire Department, P.O. Box 56, Williamson, IA 50272. Fielding Funeral Homes will handle arrangements for the cremains. fieldingfuneralhomes.com
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