Freeman G. Kline Jr., 85, of Allentown, a much-loved father, companion, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to so many, died Feb. 23, 2021, of COVID-19-related complications in Lehigh Valley Hospital where he had been a patient since Jan. 2.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Jones) Kline, in 1999.

Born Sept. 7, 1935, he was the son of the late Freeman Kline Sr., and Marjorie (Werner) Kline.

Known as “Freem” or “Freemie” to all who loved him, he was a graduate of William Allen High School.

After graduating, he served in the military and then worked at Mack Trucks from where he retired in 1992.

Following retirement, he and his wife founded “The Wildlife Den” which provided wildlife-themed trophies and prizes to trapshooting competitions across the nation.

Before becoming infected with COVID-19, he was a very active man who loved life and led a life well-lived.

In addition to spending time with his family and many friends, his passions included fly fishing, hunting, stock trading and traveling to casinos with Sandy.

However, his lifelong passion was for the sport of trapshooting. He was an integral member of the Pennsylvania State Sportsmen’s Association, a member of the Lehigh Valley Trapshooter’s League since 1957, and the patriarch of North End Rod and Gun Club, New Tripoli, where he was much-loved and respected by his “club family.”

His awards and accomplishments in the sport of trapshooting are too numerous to list but highlights include winning competitions and titles at the local, state and national levels and being inducted into the PSSA Hall of Fame in 2016.

His survivors include his daughter Cheryl (Kline) Bleiler of Fleetwood; son Gary Kline of Emmaus; longtime companion Sandra Kuyan of Allentown; and his sister, Rae Ann Fulton of North Carolina.

He will be dearly missed by his four grandchildren Claire Bleiler of New York City, Annie Bleiler of Fleetwood, Sydney and Parker Kline, both of Emmaus; nephew Patrick Palmer of Kutztown; and niece, Shannon (Palmer) Rinkinen of Michigan.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date when it is safer to gather and honor his memory and legacy.

Arrangements were made by Trexler Funeral Home, Allentown.