John Mortti Cline

John was born February 16th, 1939 in Tapiola, to the late Kenneth and R. Sylvia (Mortti) Cline. He graduated from Doelle High School and entered into the Army.

John proposed to Helen Torro while he was stationed in France in a letter. The two later married in South Range in 1961 and celebrated 59 plus years together before Helen passed away in 2020. The couple had one daughter, Karen (Vanderhoff).

John was a police officer in South Range until they moved to the Detroit area in 1965. He worked at Lear Siegler, Inc. as a Millhand for many years. John and Helen returned to the Upper Peninsula and resided on his grandparents’ farm in Tapiola. John worked at Horner Flooring in Dollar Bay while they owned the Airport Diner at Houghton Airport. John retired from Horner Flooring. In 2013 John and Helen moved back to the thumb area to be near their daughter Karen.

John was always willing and ready to help where there was a need. He was a vital part in building the Lutheran Church of the Master in Troy. He truly was an altruistic man; he graciously gave his time to support Karen’s interests in school as well as community projects and loved his pets especially Lily. John was very good friends with many in the Mennonite Community. John loved hunting and fishing, especially stream fishing proving he was a pro.

John is survived by his loving daughter Karen Vanderhoff, grandson, George II (Beth) Vanderhoff, great grandchildren, George Vanderhoff III and Sydney Tosto; sisters, Grace Mikkola of Baraga and Sara (Wayne) Rodemeier of Black Creek, WI and many numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife Helen, son-in-law George Vanderhoff, Brothers, Benjamin, Kenneth Jr. and sister Rosanne.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. on June 13th, at Mission United Lutheran Church in Pelkie service at 11am. Military rights and burial 2:30 p.m. at Houghton Cemetery.