Charles R. Klooster

A moment left idle is one less chance we will have to leave our impression on the world and on the lives of those around us. This is how Charles Randall Klooster lived everyday, from the time he spent in service to his country to the years he dedicated to his career to the moments he spent enjoying his family, he never let a moment go to waste. Everything he did in his life he held to the highest standard and everything he ever bought was first-class. During his lifetime Chuck had many pastimes and possessions that brought him a great deal of happiness, but none were ever as rewarding as the love and companionship of his family and friends. With the sweet sound of jazz music purring on the radio and the American dream working at a fevered pitch, the 1920s were truly a glorious time in history. In places like Muskegon, Michigan, the hustle and bustle of a thriving city could be seen on every street and good fortune on every block, but no one knew that better than Joseph Klooster and his wife Margaret (DeYoung). The owner of Edwards Lumber Company, Joseph was running one of the cities many successful businesses on Laketon Ave, while Margaret was pregnant with the couple's second child. At last on November 22, 1924, they proudly welcomed a son they named Charles Randall. The days quickly turned to months and Charles, or Chuck as most called him, was growing into quite the little boy. There were now three young men in the family, including Chuck, his older brother Joseph, and his younger brother Donald. When she didn't have her hands full at home, Chuck's mother worked in the Orchestra Department at Muskegon High School. For most of the year the family lived in their home on Isabella Ave., but summers were spent near Lake Michigan at they family's cottage in Winataska, a local resort area. It was there that Chuck learned to play tennis, a sport which he continued to play during his time at Muskegon High School and throughout the rest of his life. As a member of his school's tennis team, he even won top honors at a city tournament. With a diploma in hand, Chuck heeded the call of his country and enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he trained to be a pilot. Over the course of his training, he grew taller than the height allowed for pilots, so he was shifted into the role of navigator. With World War II still raging, Chuck was prepared to go into battle at a moments notice, but made it to his discharge without seeing any action. After his time in the service, he enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. There he earned a degree in Quality Control Engineering, which he used to secure a job in sales at Sealed Power in Muskegon. Aside from paying the bills, Chuck's job at Sealed Power proved to be even more fortuitous. On the job he was introduced to Delores Creswell, a young lady who worked in the company's mailroom. From that fateful meeting, he and Dee began a courtship that ended in marriage in 1950. The newlyweds purchased a home and eleven acres on the outskirts in the town of Fruitport. Here, the couple welcomed two children, a daughter Tami born in 1956 and a son Kam born in 1958. Just three years after the birth of their second child, Chuck was transferred, forcing the family to relocate across the state in Dearborn. Before they had a chance to settle into their new home, Chuck was brought back to Muskegon and promoted to Vice President of Original Equipment Sales. The family bought a home on Circle Drive in North Muskegon and never looked back. When it came to his job, Chuck was a true professional in every sense of the word. Not only was he extremely skilled at his trade, but he also enjoyed his work. In his off time, he and Dee liked to entertain and host parties at their home. Dee had a knack for throwing together a great party for co-workers and friends alike. The couple had a very close-knit circle of friends and they would often get together on the weekends for a lobster boil or steak fry. As a teenager, Chuck was introduced to the sport of hunting by relatives, who liked to track rabbits. Now a young father, he introduced his own son to the sport, taking Kam out pheasant hunting almost every weekend. On Sundays they would bring home their prize and Dee would turn it into dinner. The kids always liked to joke that there was a little #6 buckshot mixed in with the main course. At his job, Chuck was also able to get in a little hunting or fishing while entertaining sales reps from the auto companies. When it came to fishing, he and Dee owned a 31' boat they named "Top Drawer," which was always kept immaculate, and they enjoyed taking it out on Lake Michigan. Chuck had such an uncanny ability of knowing where the fish would bite that even the charter boat captains would ask him where to go. In his forties, Chuck joined the Muskegon Country club and picked up the game of golf. Like hunting, learning and playing golf was something that he could share with his son. An outdoorsman at heart, Chuck was known to hit the greens in some pretty nasty weather. Approaching his golden years, in the mid-80s Chuck finally decided it was time to retire after working more than 30 years at Sealed Power. With some extra time on his hands, he and Dee began to travel the country and spend the winter months in Arizona. During the winter of 1989, Chuck lost his beloved wife Dee when she was unexpectedly taken by a heart attack. Mourning the loss of his wife, Chuck remained single for some time before he began dating fellow widow Jacqueline Wilbur. After dating for awhile, they decided to marry in July of 1995. The newlyweds liked to travel, often visiting their time-share in North Carolina. They also continued to spend winters in Arizona. Chuck enjoyed getting to know Jacqueline's children and grandchildren and grew to be quite close with all of them. Sadly, just three years after they married, Jacqueline was diagnosed cancer and passed away. One year after the losing his second wife, Chuck started dating Gretchen Christie who had also lost her spouse. Their first meeting had come years earlier when they attended kindergarten together, but now much older and much wiser, they decided to marry in 1999. Gretchen was a local artist and brought some creative flair into Chuck's life. She even gave him the opportunity to try his hand at painting and realize that he should probably stick to golf or fishing. The couple purchased a motor home and traveled around the country, spending time in Arizona and in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In October of 2004, Chuck was widowed once again when Gretchen was diagnosed with cancer and died six months later. After losing his third wife, Chuck decided it was time to sell their properties and stay in Muskegon. He was an avid reader of fiction and kept himself busy with books, or when he wasn't reading, watching shows on the history channel. He also became a regular at the Bear Lake Tavern, a local restaurant. Kam stopped by daily for a visit, and, in the summer, his would spend mornings with his daughter Tami and her children, when he brought donuts to them at their cottage. Although life was starting to take its toll on Chuck, he kept active walking, hitting some golf balls, or taking boat rides. As summer rolled into fall, Chuck grew even wearier until at last he found peace. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Chuck will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. Mr. Charles R. Klooster, age 81, died Thursday, November 2, 2006. Surviving are his son, Kam (Kelly) Klooster of Muskegon; daughter, Tamara "Tami" (Steve) Bridson of Lansing; 3 grandchildren, Chelsea, Tommy, Stevie Bridson; brother, Donald (Vi) Klooster of AZ. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Delores Creswell in 1989; 2nd wife, Jacqueline Wilbur in 1998; 3rd wife, Gretchen Christie in 2004. Services will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2006, 3:00 PM at Clock Chapel with Rev. Dr. Larry Dannemiller officiating. Visitation will take place on thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or a charity of Choice. Please visit Chuck's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.