Sunday, July 26, 2009

Robert H. Klooster 2002 Antrim Co

**FLAG** Robert H. Klooster
Died August 25, 2002
CHARLEVOIX - Robert H. Klooster, 69, of Charlevoix, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at the Charlevoix Area Hospit Bob was born Oct. 21, 1932, in Atwood, the son of Conrad and Catherine (Smith) Klooster. He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1950, and then served as a medic in the U.S. Army infantry during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. Bob was a lifelong resident of Antrim and Charlevoix counties. On April 19, 1952, he married the former Eloise Marie Batchelder, in Atwood.

He was co-owner of Klooster Equipment in Atwood, retiring in 1979. Bob was a member of the Community Reformed Church of Charlevoix, and was named to the National and Michigan Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 1996. He was a loving and faithful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend to so many throughout his 69 years and will be greatly missed.

From working on his father's farm to the frozen bloody battlefields in Korea, Bob was there. Coming home from the war, he helped raise four beautiful daughters with his wife, Eloise, and worked the family business. Bob could always be counted on. Many have cheered him on, whether on the mound or at bat, and many more had prayed for him, believing, as Bob did, that prayer and a belief in God could enable a person to cope with any crisis, as Bob battled heart disease.

A big man, Bob knew where his real strength came from. From testing in war, in business, and in life with family and health concerns, Bob knew his source of strength was Jesus Christ and the promises of our Lord in His Word. Bob was a gentle giant, a brave fighter and a fierce competitor. A real salesman always ready with a quick quip, Bob always left us laughing. Kind, compassionate and a quiet spirit, he allowed his life to be used by God as a "conduit," a pipe through which others may know the Lover of his soul. "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7.

Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Eloise M. of Charlevoix; daughters, Roberta (Marrles) Moore of Denver, Andrea (David) Eakes and Brenda (Michael) Washburne, all of Charlevoix, and Melinda (Scott) Lankford of Traverse City; grandchildren, Andrew Klooster, Samuel and Jameson Eakes of Charlevoix, Blair and Morgan Moore of Denver and Jack Lankford of Traverse City; brothers, James D. (Esther) Klooster, of Cedar Springs, Conrad L. (Carolyn) Klooster of Charlevoix and Henry I. (Jacqueline) Klooster of Norwood; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Community Reformed Church in Charlevoix. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, at the church, with the Rev. Larry Grooters officiating. Burial will be in Atwood Cemetery, Banks Township, in Antrim County. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charlevoix Volunteer Firefighters Association and EMS-Ambulance Fund, the Charlevoix Area Hospital, or to the Community Reformed Church Music Department.

Traverse City Record-Eagle Newspaper

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