Charles Robert Lykins

Charles R. Lykins passed away peacefully on March 9, 2017, at Magnum Care in Hastings, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 25, 1924, along with twin brother Sherman G. Lykins, the sons of Gail and Pauline (Kuntz) Lykins.

During WWII Charles served with the 416th Bomb Group, 9th Army Air Corp, where he welded light duty bombers in Britain and France. After transfer to the third Army, 71st Division, his unit went through France, Belgium and Germany into Austria, where they met the Russian Troops. He went on to lay pipelines, run checkpoints on the Autobahn, and guard German prisoners until discharge.

After the war, Charlie and Sherm operated Lykins Brothers Welding and Machine Shop in Woodland for 48 years. Charlie and Sherm also served on the Woodland Fire Department as chief and assistant fire chief. From the earliest times, the brothers took every opportunity to be in the woods or on the water, closing the shop each fall for hunting season.

On May 19, 1951, Charlie married Laura Jean Salton. They raised four children, Jeanine (Doug) Keast, Charlene (Leo) Hamp, Christine Greenfield, and Daniel (Jill) Lykins. Grandchildren are Tim (Carrie) Keast, Alexandra (Jonathan) Truswell, Grant, and Noah Lykins, Great-grandchildren are Kyia, Gaige, and Emeri Keast and are expecting the arrival of Maelynn Truswell in April.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Laura and twin brother, Sherman, and his parents, Gail and Pauline Lykins.

The family sends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Magnum Care, for their care and dedication.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Putnam Library, 327 N. Main St., Nashville, MI 49073.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. A Memorial Service will follow visitation at 12:00 pm. Lay Minister Mickey Cousino will officiate the service.