Charles Countryman

Charles Howard Countryman, 94 of Bellaire, died peacefully July 1, 2017.

He was born March 23, 1923 in East Jordan, the son of Delvin and Alba (Nowland) Countryman and graduated from Central Lake High School in 1942.

Charlie proudly served in the US Coast Guard for 3 years during WWII.  He joined the Michigan State Police in 1947 and was stationed in Flint, Gaylord, Ionia, Cheboygan, Ypsilanti and Petoskey, finally retiring after 30 years of dedicated service as Sergeant.  Charlie was always one to stay busy and was the current Northern Michigan branch manager of Moore’s Security Service.

Charlie was a kind, gentle and humble man. Watching his kids and grandkids play sports was one of Charlie’s greatest joys and he rarely missed a game.  He enjoyed gardening, animals and also watching Detroit Tiger Baseball.  Charlie was a devout Christian who loved to have his “soul fed.”

Surviving Charlie is his wife of 46 years, Linda, his children Van (Sandy) Countryman of East Jordan, Gary (Kim) Keiser of South Milwaukee, WI, Kelly Countryman of Bellaire, Jennifer (Jeff) Smith of Bellaire, Kevin (Jean) Keiser of Bellaire, Daniel (Sarah) Kay of Columbus, OH, Katie (Keith) Verellen of Bellaire, grandchildren Dan and Andy Keiser, Howard and Hannah Countryman, Sarah and Luke Smith, Bradley (Lauryn) and Brooke Keiser, Haley Kay, Mackenzie and Douglas Charles Verellen, and great-grandchildren Austin and Cameron Keiser.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Victor Countryman, and brother Russell Countryman.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 7, 2017 at 1 pm at St. Luke Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 11 am.  Visitation will also be Thursday, July 6 from 2 - 4 pm and 6 - 8 pm at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Interment with military honors will follow in Dunsmore Cemetery, Echo Township.  Memorial Contributions can be given to the Veterans Memorial c/o American Legion Post 247, PO BOX 425, Bellaire, MI 49615 or Antrim County Animal Shelter PO BOX 568, Bellaire, MI 49615.

Arrangements have been handled by the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.