WALTER KLOC,
102, of Snyder, NY died peacefully Monday, February 3, 2020 at the V.A. Medical Center, Buffalo, NY with his loving wife, Virginia, at his side. He was born September 28, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois to George and Tillie (Chlopecka) Kloc. He married Virginia Kaczanowski July 26, 1947.
Walter grew up on the family farm in Deford and graduated from Cass City High School in 1936. He attended Central Michigan University (1936-1940) on an athletic scholarship competing in varsity football, gymnastics and track. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Walter joined the Army Air Corp and served as a B-25 bombardier. He was so good at his job that he served as an instructor prior to earning his commission as First Lieutenant and reporting for duty in the Pacific Theater at Guadalcanal. Walter received citations for campaigns in the liberation of the Philippines, Bismarck Archipelago, North Solomon Islands and New Guinea. He was released from active duty in July 1945, but would go on to serve in the US Air Force Reserves from 1957 until 1965, retiring with the rank of Major.
After the war, Walter went to work for General Motors in Detroit. In 1952, Walter and Virginia transferred to Buffalo, NY where he became Senior Engineer at the General Motors Foundry in Tonawanda, NY, a job he would hold until his retirement in 1985 after 40 plus years of service. Walter was a life-long golfer, bowler, scoutmaster, genealogist and tree planter. He did extensive genealogical research on the Kloc family tree, a pursuit that led to him purchase his first computer at the age of 80. Walter traveled to Poland with his wife, children and grandson to visit relatives. He shared his knowledge of the geography of Poland and genealogy with members of the Polish Genealogical Society of Western NY serving as President of the Society for a term. Walter was also famous for planting nut trees, especially the American Chestnut. He was a member of the American Chestnut Foundation growing trees from seeds to provide seedlings for the foundation to distribute.
Recently, Walter was blessed to have celebrated his 100th birthday and his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Virginia. In May 2019, at the age of 101 and dressed in his US Air Force uniform, he traveled with his son, Bill, to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado to commission his grandson, Joseph Kloc, as an officer in the US Air Force. Most importantly, Walter loved his family. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Walter is survived by his wife, Virginia; children: Gerald (Susan) Kloc; Francine (Gary) Bauchan; William Kloc; Dennis (Katherine) Kloc; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Victoria (Kloc) Wolak; many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Eugene Kloc; John Kloc; Stanley Kloc; Frank Kloc.
Visitation held 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Pancratius Catholic Church, 4306 Seeger St., Cass City, MI 48726 with Rev. Theo Nnabugo officiating. Interment in St. Michael Cemetery, Wilmot, MI. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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102, of Snyder, NY died peacefully Monday, February 3, 2020 at the V.A. Medical Center, Buffalo, NY with his loving wife, Virginia, at his side. He was born September 28, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois to George and Tillie (Chlopecka) Kloc. He married Virginia Kaczanowski July 26, 1947.
Walter grew up on the family farm in Deford and graduated from Cass City High School in 1936. He attended Central Michigan University (1936-1940) on an athletic scholarship competing in varsity football, gymnastics and track. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Walter joined the Army Air Corp and served as a B-25 bombardier. He was so good at his job that he served as an instructor prior to earning his commission as First Lieutenant and reporting for duty in the Pacific Theater at Guadalcanal. Walter received citations for campaigns in the liberation of the Philippines, Bismarck Archipelago, North Solomon Islands and New Guinea. He was released from active duty in July 1945, but would go on to serve in the US Air Force Reserves from 1957 until 1965, retiring with the rank of Major.
After the war, Walter went to work for General Motors in Detroit. In 1952, Walter and Virginia transferred to Buffalo, NY where he became Senior Engineer at the General Motors Foundry in Tonawanda, NY, a job he would hold until his retirement in 1985 after 40 plus years of service. Walter was a life-long golfer, bowler, scoutmaster, genealogist and tree planter. He did extensive genealogical research on the Kloc family tree, a pursuit that led to him purchase his first computer at the age of 80. Walter traveled to Poland with his wife, children and grandson to visit relatives. He shared his knowledge of the geography of Poland and genealogy with members of the Polish Genealogical Society of Western NY serving as President of the Society for a term. Walter was also famous for planting nut trees, especially the American Chestnut. He was a member of the American Chestnut Foundation growing trees from seeds to provide seedlings for the foundation to distribute.
Recently, Walter was blessed to have celebrated his 100th birthday and his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Virginia. In May 2019, at the age of 101 and dressed in his US Air Force uniform, he traveled with his son, Bill, to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado to commission his grandson, Joseph Kloc, as an officer in the US Air Force. Most importantly, Walter loved his family. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Walter is survived by his wife, Virginia; children: Gerald (Susan) Kloc; Francine (Gary) Bauchan; William Kloc; Dennis (Katherine) Kloc; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Victoria (Kloc) Wolak; many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Eugene Kloc; John Kloc; Stanley Kloc; Frank Kloc.
Visitation held 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Pancratius Catholic Church, 4306 Seeger St., Cass City, MI 48726 with Rev. Theo Nnabugo officiating. Interment in St. Michael Cemetery, Wilmot, MI. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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