Charles Stalter

There are few of which it can be said that the world is a better place because they were here, but Charles Stalter was such a man. He was a man of great integrity and character who was easily trusted by all who knew him. It was no secret that Chuck shared most of his days with the love of his life with whom he raised the two girls he adored. His faith was his constant companion as he modeled what love really means through his daily life. Chuck never worried about wealth and stature according to the ways of the world, but was consumed by the notion that it is through giving to others that we are truly blessed. The legacy he leaves behind is extraordinary and one that will impact future generations for years to come.

As the 1920s dawned, America was setting the pace for what was to come through our success in both the business and industrial sectors, the explosion of Broadway and baseball, and our endless pursuit of the skies. It was during this unprecedented time in our nation’s history that there was much to celebrate in one young family from Albion, Michigan, with the birth of a healthy baby boy on July 17, 1920. Charles was welcomed into the arms of his loving parents, Charles and Nina (Lewis) Stalter, and was the youngest of four children in a blended family. As the baby of the family, he was lavished with a great deal of attention and nurturing. His father worked as a barber so they moved around a bit depending on where the work was, and his mother was a musician. Chuck never forgot what was perhaps the grandest adventure of his lifetime when he went to the World’s Fair in Chicago with his sister, Christine, who was 13 years his senior. He attended local schools wherever they were living and graduated from Perrinton High School in Gratiot County.

At the urging of his sister Christine, Chuck came to the Kalamazoo area where she thought her brother would have more opportunity to branch out with both his career opportunities and the likelihood of finding a young girl to marry. Soon after he was settled, Chuck went out on a blind date with the woman with whom he would share a lifetime of love. Her name was Geraldine “Gerry” Brooks and he knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she was the woman of his dreams. Chuck’s intuition was right, and they exchanged their vows on May 29, 1942, on her parents’ farm in Watson Corners in Allegan. As long as he lived, Chuck viewed this day as the greatest day of his life.

Soon after marrying his sweetheart, Chuck joined the Army Air Corps. As WWII changed many peoples' lives, Chuck was permanently stationed at a base in San Angelo, Texas where he was responsible for keeping the AT-10 training aircraft maintained so that new bombardiers and navigators could be trained. Chuck had found memories of his time in the service and shared many stories with his family.

As an airman, Chuck received training as a machinist, which provided him with the skills he used to build a career. Most of his days were spent working as a machinist although he did work as a barber here and there. Chuck enjoyed cutting hair, but just wasn’t fond of the business side of establishing a clientele, so he was drawn back to his work as a machinist. In everything he did his work was important to him, and he made sure he always did the job right. Many of his working days were spent at Continental Can in Three Rivers, and he retired from Fisher Body in 1983.

There was nothing of greater significance to Chuck than when he and Gerry became the parents of two girls, Mary and Sue. He was a model parent who taught principles and life lessons through words and stories, but it was through the life he led that his teachings resonated the loudest. Chuck’s girls always had the greatest respect for their father as he was heavily involved in their upbringing. Even as his girls established families of their own he was always taking care of them as only a father can.

Although much of Chuck’s time centered on spending time with his family, he filled his life with so many other things that were meaningful to him. His foundation of faith was laid during his formative years by his parents, especially his mother. Chuck was a very active and longtime member of his church, Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school for a time. When grandchildren arrived, Chuck loved spending time with them as often as time allowed. He was very involved in their lives and was a regular at their sporting and school events. Chuck loved music, especially from the big band era, and many date nights with his wife were spent dancing the night away at the dance pavilion in Saugatuck. When something was in need of attention around the house, Chuck was the man for the job as he was quite handy and liked tackling various home repairs. He was an enthusiastic sports fan who loved cheering on the University of Michigan football team.

When they entered the sunset of their lives, Chuck and Gerry moved to The Fountains at Bronson Place in order to avoid becoming a burden to their children as they needed more care. They fit right in to life there and enjoyed this new lifestyle immensely. Chuck was deeply saddened with Gerry’s death in 2009. He missed her dearly, but found the strength to move forward through his unwavering faith and quiet determination. Shortly after her death, Chuck moved to a small studio down the hall that became known as “Charlie’s Pad.”

Throughout his long and rewarding life, Charles Stalter was always looking for ways he could help others whether in ways great or small. He had a positive outlook on life and could often be heard whistling a happy tune. Chuck had patience that never ran dry when dealing with his children and grandchildren, and he taught by example the incredible worth of unconditional forgiveness. With a life that spanned many decades, Chuck made a significant impact on countless others within his reach. He will be deeply missed.

Charles Stalter died on April 21, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Chuck’s family includes his 2 daughters: Mary (Michael) Dyer and Sue (Terry) LaBelle; 4 grandchildren: Michael (Amy) Dyer, Jenny (Chris) Wielenga, Rachel (Jess) Olmsted and Gregory LaBelle; nieces and nephews: Pauline Egner, Jim (Charlene) Nooney, Margaret Swenson, Mary Bahr and John Stalter, Carolyn (Chris) Russell. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 – 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church (214 S. Park St., Kalamazoo). Following the service, food and fellowship will be shared in the Church hall. Please visit Chuck’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of him, and sign his online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, First United Methodist Church or the Grand Rapids Veteran’s Home. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900).