John D. Klumpp

John David Klumpp, age 88, passed away September 17, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. John was a cancer survivor and had battled COVID and Diabetic complications for several years. John was born at Munson Hospital, Traverse City to John and Margrethe Klumpp from Kalkaska MI. He spent his early years in Kalkaska and graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1955 as Salutatorian. In 1959 he graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a B.A. Degree in Economics and Political Science. John worked for 30 years at the Michigan State Highway Department as an Urban Planner. Later the highway department became multimodal, and John served as a Regional Planning Coordinator for the Muskegon, and Bay City/Saginaw Urban Areas. He was a Registered Community Planner. John worked out of Lansing and East Lansing and specialized in real estate ventures along the Michigan Avenue corridor between the two cities. On October 10, 1971, John married Alice Marie (Goble) Long in Charlotte, MI. Born September 20, 1939, she passed away on February 18, 1992, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery Leslie, MI. John’s parents, aunts and uncles have predeceased him. John is survived by his daughter Alicia Maria Klumpp (friend Bryan Shirk), his sister Karen Mary (Klumpp) LaFave and his special friend Cheri Anderson. John was able to trace his ancestry back to the Norwegian Vikings and to the 2nd oldest highlander clan in Scotland, the MacAlister’s. John worked on Archaeological digs out of the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History where canoes were used to reach the prehistoric excavation sites along the Tittabawassee river. It was an exciting time to be involved in Archaeology, and many new discoveries were made. During his career John reported 33 prehistoric sites to the State Archaeologist along with artifacts and maps. And moving back up north John served as President of the Traverse City and Paul Bunyan Shire Clubs. He rode in northern parades with the Shriner Trike Patrol. While living in the East Lansing area John served as Master of East OF East Lansing Masonic Lodge #480 three times. He played trumpet in the Saginaw Temple Concert Band and Polka Band. He played in the Lansing VFW Post 6132 Dance Band and toured with their clown band. John served as president of the Ingham County Historical Commission and wrote a guide for the County Court House Tours and conducted Court House Tours. Active with Masons and Eastern Star in East Lansing, MI. Also, with East Lansing Rainbow Girls activities serving as Rainbow Dad and receiving the Cross of Color Medal and later was an officer with the Charlevoix Chapter. Served as president of the Grand Valley Chapter of Michigan Archeological Society at the MSU Museum. Served on the board of the Michigan Archeological Society as a Trustee and a term of 1st Vice President. A funeral service will be held at Kalkaska Funeral Home on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior. Burial will take place following the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home.

John D. Klumpp

May 12, 1937 - September 17, 2025