Edward Peter KLOSE

10 JUN 1924 - 30 JUN 2016

• BIRTH: 10 JUN 1924, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 30 JUN 2016, Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana

• MARRIAGE: 11 JUN 1949, Elkhart County, Indiana

1.  Robert KLOSE
2.  Monica KLOSE

INDEX

[N14967] Edward Klose
June 10, 1924 - June 30, 2016
ELKHART - Edward Klose passed away Thursday evening at his home in Elkhart. He was 92. Born June 10, 1924, in South Bend, Ed was the older of two sons of Edward and Monica Klose (Kryza). He lived in Niles and graduated from Niles High School in 1943. That same year, he was drafted by both the Cleveland Indians baseball club and the U.S. Navy. The Navy won out and during the war years, Ed crossed the Atlantic 25 times as an armed guard on Navy convoys and later drove a landing craft onto Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was honorably discharged twice - once at the end of 1945 and again in 1951. He said these were some of the most enjoyable years of his life -- the place where his robust spirit first came to know the large and engaging life that he would embrace every day thereafter. After returning from the war, he met Mafalda (Montagano) and he and Muff were married in 1949 and had two children, Monica and Robert. In 1949, together with his brother Bob Klose, he formed Klose Brothers Construction. Over the years they built what would become a dynamic and highly respected construction company. In addition to Klose Bros., they also started the Jackpost Corp. in Galien, MI and, in 1980, built the Fisherman's Road Marina on Morrison Channel in St. Joseph, MI. In 1980, Ed and his children, Monica and Bob built the Poplar Court Shopping Center in Elkhart. He was also a charter member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the Fraternal Order of Elks. Ed loved the out-of-doors and was a passionate sportsman. He enjoyed fresh water fishing on the Great Lakes and in Canada, and the salt water and deep sea fishing in the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Easily, his favorite sporting activity was an annual pheasant hunting trip to Nebraska and South Dakota where his buddies affectionately dubbed him “The Wagonmaster” - in deference to his role as chief and top organizer.He also loved gardening and took great pride in both his own beautiful landscapes and the fact that he had passed this passion on to his children. Ed was a man of beguiling contrasts. He was a tough, pragmatic businessman but also loved to sing and more times than not would be in full voice during his drive from Elkhart to his Niles office. He was fortunate to have maintained exceptionally good health until very recently and lived unassisted with his wife Muff until his death of congestive heart failure. Those who knew Ed knew him to be a dynamic force of a man with a keen, analytical mind and a penchant for seeing the world with clarity and truth. He took the world as he found it and virtually always had an idea for how to make it better. At the same time, he was one of the most welcoming men you would ever hope to meet - always ready with a colorful and humorous story that he told in a way that had you laughing long before the punchline. He was the archetype of the Greatest Generation. A man who understood that rewards were available to those brave enough to take chances, strong enough to do what was called for and interested enough to see what was around the bend. The 92 years he spent among us defines a life well lived.He is survived by his wife Muff, daughter Monica (Charlie Hull), son Robert (Jerri), brother Bob (Lorraine), grandsons Shawn(Alexis), Kelly Klose and great-granddaughter Taylor. Friends may call from 3 until 6:30 pm, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Thursday, July 7, 2016 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Rice Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, The American Diabetes Foundation, and The American Heart Association . Online condolences may be made at www.hartzlergutermuthinman.com. Published in South Bend Tribune from July 3 to July 4, 2016