James Alan Klooster's Obituary
James Alan Klooster, age 71, born on February 18, 1953, in Lansing, Michigan, died from
stomach cancer on April 4, 2024. Jim was an accomplished musician on multiple instruments
including banjo and fiddle. While living in Detroit, he was a member of a Pipe and Drum
band. After graduating in 1971 from Grand Rapids East Christian High School, Jim’s interest in
Celtic music brought him to Newfoundland, Canada to study folklore before returning to
Michigan to start his career first in the record industry then in furniture manufacturing. Jim
enjoyed attending the annual Wheatland Music Festival and later in life, appreciated the quiet,
woodsy living in Canadian Lakes, supporting his community by serving for several years on the
Mobile Watch Program. He was also a huge fan of U of M and Detroit Lions football. Preceded
in death by his parents, Donald Klooster and Alva Jane Berghuis, formerly of Grand Rapids and
Canadian Lakes. Jim is survived by his brother Timothy and sister-in-law Jani Sepanik of
Carlsbad, California; his niece Raya Klooster of Denver, Colorado; his nephew Graham Klooster
of West Hollywood, California, and many cousins. Private inurnment will be in Blythefield
Memory Gardens in Belmont. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wheatland Music
Organization. https://www.wheatlandmusic.org/GiftDetail?ItemId=MEM&Category=&WebsiteKey=55bb06d0-3481-49ad-8275-a50ee4c641e0
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