Charles Andrew “Charlie” Markstrom

Charles “Charlie” Andrew Markstrom, age 92, of Cedarville, Michigan, passed away with his family by his side on August 13, 2022, at Cedar Cove in Cedarville, Michigan. He was born on July 25, 1930, to August and Mary Markstrom.

Charlie grew up on the family farm on Swede Road with six siblings, Bill, Raymond, Jim, Louis, Jenny, and Betty. He graduated from Cedarville High School in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War and obtained the rank of Corporal. He was honorably discharged and earned the National Defense Service Medal. He married Hazel Huyck in 1951, and they had a daughter, Marlene. Sadly, Hazel passed away in 1957. In 1960, he married Mae Koski, and they had two sons, Darryl and Gary. They celebrated 62 years of marriage on June 4, 2022. He spent his career working in the construction industry as a heavy equipment operator. Most of his career was with Frank Huyck & Sons Excavating of Pickford and Civil Service Roads and Grounds at the Kincheloe Air Force Base.

Charlie was a lifelong member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Cedarville, a lifetime member of the VFW Hessel Post and was Post Commander for many years and was also a life member of the NRA. He also was a member of the American Legion in Pickford, Michigan, and he was a founding member of the EUP Antique Auto Club.

Charlie enjoyed traveling during his lifetime. He traveled around the United States with his family. He loved to travel on cruises and visited Finland and Aland Island. After retirement, Charlie and Mae would spend their winters in Lake Havasu, Arizona. They spent 22 winters there and made many close friends. He enjoyed many trips to South Dakota to pheasant hunt with his sons and brother, Bill. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and boating. Even at the age of 82, he was a successful deer hunter. He also enjoyed “solving the world’s problems” with his coffee club friend’s at Angio’s in Cedarville. He was a great “PaPa” to his grandchildren. Charlie was always active in helping his family with their projects and was disappointed if he was not involved. Since 1976, he was a fixture in the Cedarville 4th of July parade with his 1923 Ford Model T, which he enjoyed showing at local car shows. He loved to go on a leisure trail ride on his four wheeler with his friends and family.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Mae Markstrom; daughter, Marlene (Richard) Roach of West Branch, Michigan; sons, Darryl (Cindy) Markstrom of Williamston, Michigan, and Gary (Ginny) Markstrom of Howell, Michigan; grandchildren, Michael Roach of Baroda, Michigan, Joni (Mike Preuss) Roach of Grand Rapids, Michigan; step-grandchildren, Robyn Strong of Durham North Carolina, Nichole (Ed Cruz) Strong of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Austin Strong, of Howell, Michigan; siblings, Bill (JoAnn) Markstrom of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Ray (Ruth) Markstrom of Cedarville, Michigan and Jim (Janet) Markstrom of Cheboygan, Michigan; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, August and Mary Markstrom; siblings, Louis Markstrom, Jenny Markstrom, and Betty (Herman) Izzard; and first wife, Hazel Huyck.

Services will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Cedarville, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Monday, August 22, 2022, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The Funeral Service will follow at 1:00 P.M.

Graveside Military Service and Burial will follow at Cedar Cemetery, in Cedarville, Michigan.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace, Michigan, and especially to the friendly and caring staff at Cedar Cove in Cedarville, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Bethel Lutheran Church, Cedar Cove, or McLaren Hospice of Cheboygan, MI.