Edward Albert Kling

Kling, Mr.

Edward Albert

Muskegon, Michigan

Edward Albert Kling passed away at the age of 90 years on October 9th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Ed was preceded in death by his father Albert , mother Zophia (Lewandowski), and siblings Thaddeus, Hank, Annie(Kochmanski), Wanda(Ryznar), and Julia(Christian). He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Joan Helen; his children, Denise (and husband Marty), Mark (and wife Lori), Monica and Kurt, in addition to 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Sailor and Skipper of Wings, Polish history buff, and president of DSC Laboratories pharmaceutical division, Ed lived life to the fullest.

Tapping his Polish roots, Ed was a hardworking farm boy from Ravenna with talent for sports. He was captain of his football and basketball teams, voted Most Likely to Succeed, and couldcut a mean jitterbug or Polka. Ed captivated Joan by dancing his way into her heart to the tunes of Glen Miller and Louis Armstrong at the Fruitport Pavilion. On 10/1/1955, he married Joan at St. Catherine's, greeting nearly 600 guests.

Ed joined the army and became a typist clerk for the DOD in Washington, DC. From there, Ed attended Michigan Tech on the GI bill. A whiz at chemistry, Ed became Lakeway Chemical Company's youngest VP. He then pursued his entrepreneurial zeal and began his own business that eventually grew to the present-day DSC labs.

They settled in Muskegon, and in 1961, Ed built their home where he and Joan raised their family and hosted gatherings throughout the year.

Ed was also an avid sailor. From a small CAT boat he used to sail with his children, to his current sailboat "Wings" he's collected a host of trophies and wonderful memories with local crew. The Muskegon Yacht Club was his second home. He has captained in races there on Lake Muskegon and has, many a time, crossed the tempestuous Lake Michigan competing in the Tripp Cup and the Queens Cup.

In later years, Ed's love of dancing was poured into the design of the portable polka dance floor that is used in the Muskegon Polish Festival every year. He also originated the "Did You Know" series about Polish history for the Fest, which has grown to be a major exhibit that will educate generations to come about the incredible history of Poland.

Ed's gentle ways and funny quips will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered.

SERVICE

A rosary will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in the Marian Chapel, 2929 McCracken St. Norton Shores, MI 49441, followed by prayer, sharing, visitation and a luncheon at St. Francis Desales Chapel.

In lieu flowers, please consider gifts of remembrance to the Edward Kling Polish Heritage Fund, which will be used to grow his vision of preserving and forwarding Polish History. To donate, please visit the Muskegon Polish Festival website at https://www.muskegonpolishfest.com/donate (be sure to scroll down to Ed's donation button) or mail a check to The Edward Kling Polish Heritage Fund, Muskegon Polish Festival, PO Box 1431, Muskegon MI 49443.

Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon