Michael J. “Big Mike” Kloster
"Big Mike"
CROGHAN ~ Michael J. “Big Mike” Kloster, 61, of 11776 Jerden Falls Rd., Croghan, died Friday, May 21, 2010, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica, after being in failing health for a number of weeks.
Born May 5, 1949, in Lowville, NY, a son of Reuben and Nora Kuhl Kloster, he received his elementary education at the Old Indian River School in Indian River, and later attended Beaver River Central School.
Following high school in the late 1960’s, he went to work at the former J.P. Lewis Company, in Beaver Falls. In the early 1970’s, he worked for Nortz Distributing in Lowville, and during the 1980’s, drove truck and was a heavy equipment operator for Paul Lyndaker. Throughout his life, he also worked on and off as a self-employed horse logger, including working with his horse team collecting sap at Yancey’s Sugar Bush.
Mike was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church, Croghan. He was a former member of the Balsam Creek Hunting Club and Draft Horse Association.
He enjoyed carpentry, hunting, fishing and working with his horses. He loved kids and traveled throughout the North Country in a covered wagon pulled by his horse team helping to raise money for sick children.
Surviving are five brothers, Burton E. Kloster, George F. “Casey” (Julie) Kloster, Gilbert D. (Susie) Kloster, Patrick J. (Donna) Kloster, and Tim K. Kloster, all of Croghan; a sister, Carole A. Hoch, of Croghan, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A brother, Thomas H. Kloster, who was killed in the Vietnam War in November, 1968, and a sister, Delphine, who died in infancy, predeceased him.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, beginning with a 9:45 a.m. prayer service at the Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan, followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass from St. Stephen’s Church, with the Rev. Daniel L. Chapin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery in Belfort.
Calling hours will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
« Marion A. Golden | Home | Marion L. DeCarlo »
Comments
A relatively new resident of our community said, “for me Big Mike was as much a part of Croghan as Wishy’s or the mud hole. He was just part of Croghan.” I’d have to agree with her. You will be greatly missed, Mike. ~ Erika Smith,
Mike was a dear friend of ours. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kloster family. R.I.P. our dear friend “Big Mike.” ~ Jeff and Dana Boliver
The community has lost a great man. Starting with his Dad and Mom, Mike and his brothers and sister are among the kindest people I have ever met. Mike always had time to tell a great story and,although, God didn’t bless him with his own children, he especially loved all of the “little fellers” (whether they were boys or girls)that were part of his life. Rest in peace, Mike, it was an honor knowing you.
Mike was like a grandfather to us. He was there from the time we were born until the time he died. He was there for us throught the good and bad times and i dont know what we are going to do without him. WE LOVE YOU MIKE!
Mike was a good man. Two weeks before he was in the hospital he gave my sister and I a dollar coin each. My Uncle Jeff was a good friend of Mike and he always talked to him. They always used to drive around and look for deer and turkeys. We always will remember Mike and if their was a Croghan Area Hall of Fame he should be one of the first five inductees.
We will miss him dearly, he was a member of many families, related or not.. Our children “little fellers” grew up knowing Mike. We were very fortunate to have know him and loved him. Steve & Deb, Craig, Christina “John”, (mike’s nickname for her)and Becky and their families….
We will miss your visits to Otter Creek while we camp with our horses “Big Mike” and the visits to our home in Copenhagen just to chat. We know you are driving a wagon of pure gold in heaven now with the most beautiful pair of horses. You will be missed.
My wife and I enjoyed visiting Mike, and “Lil” Joe thanks him for the dollar coin Mike gave him at the fair last year….Mike treated everyone like a special person. if we ALL could be like Mike………I will miss seeing you at Yanceys.
So very sorry for your loss. We have heard some wonderful things of “Uncle Mike”. From what I am told little Jordan
will miss you dearly. Our prayers are with you. Rodney & Kate
Carole and family, I am so sorry to hear of “Big Mike’s” passing. I did not know him personally but I have heard nothing but kind comments throughout the years.
RIP Mike.
Leave a Comment