Reverend Frederick Floyd Cline
June 3, 1925 – October 11, 2025 

Reverend Frederick Floyd Cline passed away peacefully in Red Deer, Alberta, on October 11, 2025, at the age of 100. Born at Mrs. Grant’s Confinement Home in Young, Saskatchewan, Fred lived a life defined by faith, service, and a deep love for his family. 

Fred was predeceased by his parents, Charles Wesley Cline and Edna Pearl Bishop; his beloved wife of 59 years, Frances (Fran) Campbell Taylor; and siblings Grace, Howard, Malcolm ‘Mac’, Ellis, Peter, Rev. David, and Ethel (Patterson). 

He is survived by his brothers, Rev. Philip Cline and Dr. Stephen Cline, DVM. His legacy continues through his children: John (Joy) Cline, MD; Margaret (Blair) Woodrow; and Jeffery Cline. He was a proud grandfather to Jayme (Braden), Jennifer (Ian), Carla, Benjamin (Brittany), and Bethany, and a “Great-Grampa” to 11 great-grandchildren: Adelai, Evelyn, Samuel, Charis, Callen, Isabella, Ezra, Amelia, Griffin, Quinn, and Nora Frances. 

 Raised on a homestead near Zelma, Saskatchewan, Fred grew up in a two-bedroom farmhouse with nine siblings and no modern utilities. By age 12, he was already driving an eight-horse team of Clydesdales. After graduating from Zelma School in 1943 and earning an Agriculture degree from the University of Saskatchewan, a pivotal encounter at the Capitol Theatre in Saskatoon led him to “make a decision for the Christian life.” He answered the call to ministry, graduating with a Theology degree from St. Andrew’s College and receiving ordination with the United Church in 1954. 

 Fred’s ministry took him across the globe. Initially set for Africa, he followed a call to India, where he studied Hindi in Indore. It was there he met the love of his life, Frances Taylor, a missionary nurse from Edmonton. They married in Indore in December 1955 and the following November Fran flew back to Edmonton to deliver her first born:  John Charles Cline followed by the birth of Margaret Jean Cline in India in June 1958.  Fred and Fran completed their missionary work in India in 1960.  Following the return to Canada, they moved to New York NY where Fred obtained a Master’s degree in Divinity (Christian Education).  Upon return to Edmonton Fred and Fran welcomed Jeffrey Frederick Cline into the family.      Over the decades, Fred served United Church of Canada congregations at Robertson and St. Andrew’s in Edmonton AB, and in Creston BC, Vermillion AB, Calgary (Hillhurst) AB, and New Westminster (Shiloh) BC. 

 In retirement, Fred remained active in the United Church Renewal Fellowship, The Canadian Bible Society, the Christian Ashram movement, and the Order of St. Luke. He shared his love for travel by leading tours to the Holy Land and the Oberammergau Passion Play (Germany). An avid sportsman, he spent many hours golfing and curling, notably competing in the Friars Briar on the “Cline Brothers” team.  Unfortunately, in 2004 Fran developed Alzheimer’s dementia precipitating a move from White Rock to Nanaimo BC to live with John, Joy, Jayme and Jennifer – until Frans death in 2014, after 59 years of marriage.  Fred and Fran were actively involved at Trinity United Church in Nanaimo. 

   At age 89, Fred took up the piano, learning church hymns and the songs of Johnny Cash. In his final 2 years, while living in Red Deer AB at a memory care facility, he was known for his smiles, laughter, serenading staff/visitors, often speaking in Hindi as he revisited his missionary days. A gentle man “rich in good deeds,” Fred spent his final moments conducting the music of Nearer My God to Thee before passing into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ. 

A funeral service will be held at Zelma United Church, SK, on July 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM, followed by the burial of Fred’s ashes, next to Fran’s, in the Zelma Cemetery.  A reception will then be held at 4:00 PM at the Village Community Hall – Manitou Beach.  For further details, please contact John at 250-797-0208 or jccline1@gmail.com. 

 

• Date : 2026-04-28
• Location : Red Deer Funeral Home