Franklin “Gus” J. Kline was born July 14, 1935 to Maxwell J. and Katherine Constance (Franklin)
Kline in San Pedro, Los Angeles, Calif. USA and was granted entry into heaven March 8, 2024.
Starting in junior high school Franklin enjoyed being a member of the California Rangers – a
mounted precision youth riding group that got the family off into owning their horses. In 1953 he
graduated from Van Nuys High School where he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training
Corp. (ROTC). Franklin entered Virginia Military Institute – where he was given the nickname of
“Gus”. As the incoming new students were referred to as “brother rats”. Franklin was given the
nickname Gus after one the mice in Cinderella. While approved for the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point, a year after he’d started VMI, he stayed his course. Upon graduation from VMI he
entered the United States Marine Corp. as a Second Lieutenant. He served 7 years and left the service
of our country as a First Lieutenant. After separation from the Marine Corp. he attended the
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where he earned his Masters Degree in Political
Science. He then accepted a job working for the U.S. Government, back in service of his fellow man,
which he retired from in the early 1980s. While stationed in Jakarta, Indonesia he transitioned into
the private business industry.
Gus often hosted his mother overseas as well as his niece in Jakarta.
Gus met his bride, Ira, in Jakarta honoring his family by coming back to the States to marry in 1989
where they got to stand in witness at the ceremony.
After making the transition to full-time residency in the U.S. Gus and Ira, were followed by her son,
Happy, and the family became whole with them settling in St. Louis.
Franklin’s love for his fellow man and woman led him to deepen his faith.
Franklin took the holy habit of St. Dominic in the Anglican Order of Preachers in August of 2011. He
made his Life Profession of Vows in August of 2013. Br. Franklin was a fixture in the Order. Well
known for his deep love of the Lord Jesus and for all things in Dominican tradition. He was most
especially fond of high church forms of worship including chant. He particularly loved Taize music.
He regularly visited the Roman Catholic Priory in St. Louis to join in prayer with the Brothers.
Brother Franklin had tremendous gifts for reading the Scriptures in worship with great meaning and
skill. He served in leadership in the Order as Prior of Catherine House until the time of his death. He
will be sorely missed by the members of the Order.
Franklin “Gus” is survived by his wife Ira, stepson Happy Hapsoro of St. Louis, his younger brother
Dorand “Dory” Kline, nieces: Sheryl (Ken) Kolt, Shawn (Richard) Rose, Kathleen Kline – all of
Calif. His great-nieces Michelle Wenthur, Kristin Wenthur, Kayla Walton, Elantra Eckhardt, great-
nephews Joseph Ray Wenthur, Richard Rose II, Kristopher Rose and his great-grand-nephew Ayden
Wenthur with much loving anticipating of the arrival of his great-grand-niece.
He is preceded in death by his father – Maxwell J. Kline, his mother – Katherine C. Kline, his sister-
in-law Patrice S. Kline, great-nephew, Ethan J.D. Kline.
Services honoring Brother Franklin “Gus” J. Kline will be held on April 5, 2024 at Christ Church
Cathedral 1210 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 at 9:30 AM with visitation with family

(doors will be open at 9 a.m.). Celebration of Life Service will begin at 10:30 AM with an
after-service: light luncheon reception provided by the Cathedral Fellowship Team and
Friends. Interment with full military honors for this Marine will be at Jefferson Barracks
National Cemetery at 2 PM 533 Grant Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.