Charles E. Woodbury, 86, of Ionia, passed away Friday, June 13, 2014 at Masonic Pathways in Alma after a brave, heart-wrenching battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Muir, MI on July 28, 1927, the third child of Carl and Lula (Nolte) Woodbury and grew up in a home on Plains Street that is still in the Woodbury family. Like many young men who watched their older siblings and friends go off to war, he lied about his age and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in August 1944 and served during World War II on the U.S.S. Hampton APA 115, returning home in 1946. He was proud but humble about his service. Upon his return, he went back to school, graduating from Muir High School in 1947. He also joined the Muir Fire Department as a volunteer and served the Lyons-Muir area for nearly 30 years. He married Norma Jean Ritchey on Nov. 13, 1948 at the First Christian Church in Muir in a ceremony officiated by Dr. Paul Stewart. On the day of the wedding, the boat shop in Lyons burned down and Charlie helped fight the fire, delaying their wedding, but making their special day uniquely memorable. The couple spent their honeymoon at deer camp up north, and then made their home in Lyons. Eventually, with money he received for his military service, they were able to put a down payment on a home on Liberty Street in Muir, where they raised their four children until moving to Ionia in 1976 so the youngest two could walk to their junior and high schools. Charlie hired in at the Michigan Reformatory as a prison guard in 1958 and rose through the ranks, retiring as a captain in 1985. He was a member of the Lyons Masonic Lodge; The Order of the Moose in Ionia, and was a life member of the VFW in Sheridan. He was also a deacon at the First Christian Church in Muir. Upon his retirement, Charlie and Norma spent 19 winters in Florida and spent most of their summers at Crystal Lake in Montcalm County. In Florida they resided in Leesburg and Fruitland Park. His pastimes included playing cards, playing golf and fishing for pompano in the ocean. He also played on several softball leagues well into his 70's. He played in the Florida Senior Games State Championship, and he played on the 70+ team that finished second at the Senior Softball World Championship in Phoenix, AZ in Oct. 1999. Charlie also sent many of his weather pictures, especially sunsets, to the News Center 2 T.V. station in Orlando, which they broadcast. He doted over his wife through her physical illnesses and infirmities, and was a 10-year cancer survivor. He spent the last two years of his life at the Jack Sanders Health Care Center at Masonic Pathways, where he was cared for by a truly amazing, gentle, patient staff.

Surviving him are his wife of 66 years, Norma, of Alma; four children: Gerry (Becky) Woodbury of Woodburn, IN; Mike, of Orleans; Patty (Max) Strong of Mt. Pleasant and Randy (Vicki) Woodbury of Norton Shores; grandchildren Matt (Amanda) Woodbury of Huntertown, IN; Brian (Andrea) Woodbury of New Haven, IN; Aaron Woodbury of Greenville; Chad Woodbury of Ionia;Alexis and Mark Strong of Mt. Pleasant; Alison Stoken of Ionia; Ben Woodbury of Bremmerton, WA and Nick Woodbury of Linden, Va.; 9 great-grandchildren and numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Rosalind Randall in 2000; his brothers Lee in 2012 and Keith in 2011; his sister-in-law Ruth in 2011; and his daughter-in-law Nancy in 2013. Cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial service at the First Christian Church in Muir on July 28 at noon, followed by interment of his remains in Oakwood Cemetery in Muir with military honors, and then a luncheon in the church annex. Memorial contributions in Charlie's name are suggested to The Central Michigan Region of the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements are being handled by Lake Funeral Homes in Ionia. Please register your online condolences at www.lakefuneralhomes.com.