Hilbert W. Klotz

Hilbert “Hip” Klotz, Sr., 81, of St. Joseph, passed away, Thursday, February 9, 2006 at Caretel Inns of Royalton. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, with Military Rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to The Hilbert Klotz, Sr. Memorial Fund. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Klotz was born March 27, 1924 in Walkerville, Michigan to Howard & Stacle (Blamer) Klotz. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree. “Hip” served his country in the Army Air Corp during WWII as a pilot in a B-24 Liberator. On September 7, 1944, he married the former Aletha May Bayle in Volney, Michigan. Mr. Klotz was employed as a high school industrial arts teacher at Benton Harbor High School from 1949-1967, for a short time at White Cloud High School, and retired from Big Rapids High School in 1979 after 10 years. He served as a judge for the State Industrial Arts Fair, received the Master Teacher Award, and was a member of the Michigan Education Association. “Hip” was a former member of Peace Temple United Methodist Church when living in Benton Harbor and of First United Methodist Church in Big Rapids when residing there. He loved wood working and the trees that supplied him with his materials. Mr. Klotz is survived by his wife Aletha; five children-Howard (Cheri) Klotz of St. Joseph, Colleen (Larry) Lamble of Portage, MI, Alvon (Char) Klotz of St. Joseph, Cheryl (Tom) Butcher of Hudsonville, MI, Scott (Kim) Klotz of Stevensville; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; his brother Ken (Onabelle) Klotz of Hart, MI; sisters-in-law-Erma (Don) Faron of Sun City, Florida, Ima (Richard) Hartman of Benton Harbor, Edna (Gary) McCord of St. Joseph; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Hilbert “Hip” Klotz, Jr. on January 7, 2006