Charles Fuller

Charles R. Fuller was a simply wonderful man, a man of character, of love and of faith. He learned early in life that material possessions matter little and that family comes first. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, succeeding in providing the best for his family. There was no greater joy along Charlies life journey than being with his beloved family. The memories he leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those who knew and loved him. The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in the quiet community of Muskegon, Michigan, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their families and earning a living. This was the life of Louis and Lettie (Stanley) Fuller. The Fullers lived on the north side of Muskegon on Weber Road, and Louis, a woodworker, owned and operated his own business nearby called The Bowl Factory, which made wooded bowls. With an already bustling household of children, on November 1, 1923, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Charles Raymond Fuller. Charlie, as he was called, would eventually be the middle of fourteen children; however, several of his siblings died in flu outbreaks in their area. With such a large family, money was undoubtedly tight, but Charlie and his siblings enjoyed typical childhoods, growing up on Weber Road. The children attended Green Creek School and then went on to North Muskegon High, where Charlie played the French horn in the school band. He was also active in the Sea Scouts and learned to love being on the water. After graduating high school, Charlie followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served from 1943 to 1946 as part of the Armed Guards during World War II aboard merchant ships, where he operated the large deck guns. During the war, Charlie served in both the Mediterranean Sea and The Pacific, where he witnessed the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Charlie returned home to Muskegon and went to work for the railroad for a while as well as the Brunswick Corporation. He then took his place with his father and several brothers in the family business, The Bowl Factory, where he worked as a woodworker in the shop for over 30 years before retiring. Once settled in his job, Charlie had time to focus on love, and he soon met a special young lady named Lois King while at a square dance at the Grange Hall in Dalton Township. They dated for about a year before things became serious, and as fate would have it, Charlie and Lois fell in love and were married on February 17, 1951. After saying I do, the happy couple settled into married life in a house on Holton Road, and they soon filled it with the joy of two daughters, Debra (1952) and Cherl (1953). They lived here for 5 years before moving back to Weber Road, closer to family and work. They then completed their family with the births of their sons, David (1958) and Tom (1964). With a family of six, there wasnt money to go on vacations, but life was still good. They were members of St. Albans Episcopal Church, where Charlie helped build the Bell Tower. To supplement Charlies income, Lois worked as a cashier at various stores and was a school bus driver for 20 years so the family had insurance. After Charlie and Lois both retired, they wintered in Sarasota, Florida for 5 years to help Loiss mother, who lived there. Later, they would buy their own winter home in Arcadia. At home, Charlie was a daily patron at the North Muskegon Mr. Quicks restaurant, where he met up with his buddies and they would solve all the world problems. He continued his love of the water and had his boat captains license taking fishing charters out on Lake Michigan. He was also a member of the VFW Don Rea Post #8846 and was part of a group of former Navy Armed Guards he met in Punta Gorda, Florida. Charlie liked deer hunting in the fall with some of his buddies, and was a big sports fan, particularly of the Detroit Lions and Tigers, and the University of Michigan teams. Being a die-hard U of M fan caused quite a rivalry with those in his family who were Michigan State fans. In 2010, Charlies life took a difficult turn when he suffered a stroke and had to spend time in rehabilitation before going home. Lois was his vigilant caregiver as he recovered, standing by him through everything. After a life filled with love and happiness, Charlie passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at the age of 90. Charlie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois; sons, David Fuller of Muskegon, Tom (Debbie) Fuller of Whitehall; daughters, Debra (Larry) Galehouse of East Lansing, Cherl (Dan) Dalson of North Muskegon; grandchildren, Micah, Dana, Stephanie, Leah, Neal, Douglas, Lindsey, Nicholas; great grandchildren, Kylee, Ella, Harper; brother, Dale (Judy) Fuller of Muskegon; sister-in-law, Margaret Fuller. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be on Tuesday, November 26, at 11:00 a.m. and visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Everett H. Klein officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Alban's Episcopal Church or the Muskegon Rescue Mission. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Funeral Home- Muskegon