MARENISCO, Mich. – Earl "Bud" Charles, 79, a long-time resident of Marenisco, passed away Wednesday morning, July 4, 2018.

Bud was born on Aug. 11, 1938, in Winegar, (Presque Isle) Wis., a son of Earl Victor and Elizabeth "Betty" (Andersen) Charles. He attended school in Presque Isle and Marenisco. Bud survived having polio as a child.

On Sept. 29, 1956, he was united in marriage to Gail Frances Eschenbauch. They made their home in Marenisco and were blessed with four children.

Bud worked at Kimberly-Clark, White Pine Copper Company, Norco Windows, Champion International and Anderson Trucking. Then, he returned to and retired from White Pine Copper Company. Throughout the years, Bud owned and operated a furnace repair service.

He had a special interest in building and racing stock cars. Bud was a member of K.O. and Rose's old timers' softball league. He was a Marenisco Township zoning administrator and served on the Marenisco School Board.

Bud was an avid supporter of the Green Bay Packers, absolutely loved spending time at Hillbilly Heaven hunting camp and looked forward to camping trips.

Bud is survived by two sons, Randy and Ron (Dani), both of Marenisco; two daughters, Nancy (Mike) Jager, Allendale, and Micki (Craig) Sorensen, Marenisco; five cherished grandchildren, CJ, Kyle, DeAnna, Michelle and Cassandra; five dear great-grandchildren, Brooks, Blaine, Justice, Aspen and Wesley; a brother, Tom (Jackie), Marenisco; a sister, Clara Perron, Spokane, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Gail, on Nov. 4, 2013; a grandson, Thomas V.H. Vugrinec; two sisters, Dorothy Richetta and Bernice Jeske; and a nephew, Tommy "Bam-Bam" Charles.

The family is honoring Bud's life in a private service.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.