1940
Charles
2017
Charles James Converse, Sr.
November 8, 1940 — April 23, 2017
Charles James Converse, age 76, of Hastings, passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, April 23, 2017.
Charles was born to the late Charles R. and Mae L. (Britten) Converse in Hastings, MI on November 8, 1940. He married the love of his life, Bonnie Lou Steeby on June 12, 1959, the week after Bonnie graduated high school. They would have celebrated 58 years of marriage this June.
Charles joined the U.S. Navy in 1958 and was stationed in Newport, RI and was honorably discharged in 1960 and moved back to Michigan settling in Hastings to raise their family. Charles worked for the City of Hastings for 27 years retiring in 1995.
He enjoyed woodworking and made beautiful cedar hope chests and watching sports, especially Nascar and Hockey. He was a Life Member of the Elks Lodge, and a member of the Woodland Eagles and Delton Moose Lodge. He was a former long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church and recently joined his new church home, Hastings Free Methodist Church.
His family has fond memories of camping, dune buggy riding, and snowmobiling up north. And of course, "Bear" was well known within his circle of friends.
Charles is survived by his loving and caring wife of 57 years, Bonnie (Steeby). He was a devoted and loving father to son Charles (Pam), daughter Debra (Ted) Baker, and son Donald (Carlene). His pride and joy was his grandchildren, Angela (Chad) Metzger, Donald Jr. (Hailey) Converse, Paul (Erin) Garrett, Sarah (Tim) Hall, Matt (Veronica) Converse, Nicholas (Danielle) Converse, Douglas (Shelby) Baker, Nathan (Kazzi) Converse and Bethany Converse (Corey) and great-grandchildren, Jamie, Josslynn, Jeremiah and Juddsen Metzger, Khloe Baker, Brodie and Caleb Converse, Isabel Converse, Joseph Converse, Briella, Brynleigh and Braxton Garrett and Hayden and Rilie Hall. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Lynda Fisher, Susan (Robert) Sensiba, Dawn (Mike) Loftus, many cousins, nieces and nephews along with other family and friends.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, sister Carolyn Bentley, grandsons Joshua and Brian Converse, special friend he thought of as a brother, Richard "Tricky Dick" Aspinall, special cousin Nancy Stonehouse and nephew Randy Bentley.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Friday, April 28 at Hastings Free Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Andy Baird officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Irving Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Hastings Free Methodist Church or Hastings Elks Lodge #1965 for Kids Projects.
Charles was born to the late Charles R. and Mae L. (Britten) Converse in Hastings, MI on November 8, 1940. He married the love of his life, Bonnie Lou Steeby on June 12, 1959, the week after Bonnie graduated high school. They would have celebrated 58 years of marriage this June.
Charles joined the U.S. Navy in 1958 and was stationed in Newport, RI and was honorably discharged in 1960 and moved back to Michigan settling in Hastings to raise their family. Charles worked for the City of Hastings for 27 years retiring in 1995.
He enjoyed woodworking and made beautiful cedar hope chests and watching sports, especially Nascar and Hockey. He was a Life Member of the Elks Lodge, and a member of the Woodland Eagles and Delton Moose Lodge. He was a former long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church and recently joined his new church home, Hastings Free Methodist Church.
His family has fond memories of camping, dune buggy riding, and snowmobiling up north. And of course, "Bear" was well known within his circle of friends.
Charles is survived by his loving and caring wife of 57 years, Bonnie (Steeby). He was a devoted and loving father to son Charles (Pam), daughter Debra (Ted) Baker, and son Donald (Carlene). His pride and joy was his grandchildren, Angela (Chad) Metzger, Donald Jr. (Hailey) Converse, Paul (Erin) Garrett, Sarah (Tim) Hall, Matt (Veronica) Converse, Nicholas (Danielle) Converse, Douglas (Shelby) Baker, Nathan (Kazzi) Converse and Bethany Converse (Corey) and great-grandchildren, Jamie, Josslynn, Jeremiah and Juddsen Metzger, Khloe Baker, Brodie and Caleb Converse, Isabel Converse, Joseph Converse, Briella, Brynleigh and Braxton Garrett and Hayden and Rilie Hall. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Lynda Fisher, Susan (Robert) Sensiba, Dawn (Mike) Loftus, many cousins, nieces and nephews along with other family and friends.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, sister Carolyn Bentley, grandsons Joshua and Brian Converse, special friend he thought of as a brother, Richard "Tricky Dick" Aspinall, special cousin Nancy Stonehouse and nephew Randy Bentley.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Friday, April 28 at Hastings Free Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Andy Baird officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Irving Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Hastings Free Methodist Church or Hastings Elks Lodge #1965 for Kids Projects.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles James Converse, Sr., please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Girrbach Funeral Home, Inc.
Lodge of Sorrow - Elks
Girrbach Funeral Home, Inc.
Funeral Service
Free Methodist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors