Rusty (Jess R.) Kline, 72, of Elkhart, passed away quietly and peacefully at his northside residence on Friday, June 28, 2024. He was born in Elkhart on February 21, 1952 to the late Harvey Kline and Dorothy F. (Ginther) Kline Warner.

Surviving Rusty are his daughters Melanie A. (Teddy R.) Ervin and Heather M. (Michael L. "Mike") Lee, both of Elkhart; his sister Darlene Whittington of South Bend; grandchildren Taylor Kline, Baylie (Kaleb) Tuggle and Landon Lee, and a loving host of extended family and friends, including nieces and nephew Lisa (Randy) Carr, Michelle Kline and Michael Kline Jr. He is also survived by his former spouse (and mother of his daughters) Cathy J. Brewer of Elkhart. Along with his parents, Rusty is preceded in death by is his brother, Michael D. Kline, Sr.

In accordance with his wishes, Rusty is to be cremated and then buried with his brother Michael at a graveside service at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 2:30 pm. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services have been assisting his family with arrangements.

Rusty was a production worker for many, many years but medically retired from M & M Fabrications of Elkhart in the mid-2000's due to health issues. However, those issues emphatically did NOT slow Rusty down on doing the things he loved. He was an avid hunter and fisherman his whole life, and despite slowing down a bit on the hunting side of things, he never ever turned down a chance to wet a line and catch some fish. Perhaps it was simply the thrill of catching fish, but chances are that Rusty enjoyed his time fishing to reflect and just be at peace with himself and the nature that was around him.

Rusty has a colorful and robust sense of humor and loved to give you "the business"; especially if he liked you. He was a huge aficionado of the Chicago Cubs and NASCAR and was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s number one fan. He also could tear up the daily crossword puzzles in a matter of minutes and loved to watch old Andy Griffith re-runs and other old black and white "TV Land" style classics.

Along with his love for his family and friends, Rusty also enjoyed tending to his birds and squirrels who ate like kings just outside his living room window and listening to Reba McIntire.