Laurence James Kline OBITUARY

Laurence James Kline OBITUARY

Laurence James Kline of Indian Head Park, IL, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Larry, as he was known to family and friends, was born on August 10, 1946, in Chicago, IL to Jack and Dorothy Kline, and grew up in LaGrange Park, IL, playing Little League baseball and collecting American Flyer model trains with his brother, Doug. At Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL, where he graduated in 1964, he was the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Lion newspaper and a National Merit Scholar, and was awarded the Austin Scholarship to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1968. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from The University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, MI in 1971. He was a 6-year member of the US Army Reserve, stationed primarily in Fort Ord, CA. Larry began practicing law in Chicago in 1972, specializing in estate planning and estate & trust administration, which he would continue for more than five decades at several Chicago law firms, including Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLP, where he retired in February, 2026. He served as Chair of the Trust Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association, a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council, and the author of a 1999 book on estate planning for Illinois residents. In 1971, he married Cynthia Ann Lies, and together they spent 55 wonderful years raising their family in Indian Head Park, IL. Larry was a devoted fan at his children’s (and later grandchildren’s) sporting events and artistic performances over the years and was a valued friend to many in the community. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his children, Jeff (Amy) and Jenny (Dakota) Shultz; and his grandchildren Lucy, Spencer, Finn, and Carson. He is preceded in death by his brother, Doug (Jane), and his parents, Jack and Dorothy. A private internment will be followed by a memorial service at a later date to be shared with family and friends. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, honorary donations to The Morton Arboretum are appreciated and can be made through its Tribute Gift Donation page. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500 or HJfunerals.com