Charles Richard Owens

Charlie was born January 18th, 1940, in Ontonagon, Michigan, the son of the late Thomas Richard Owens and Martha Eva Irene (Koski) Owens-Secrist. He graduated from Escanaba High School. Charlie served in the United States Air Force from Oct 17th, 1960, until July 16th, 1965, at various SAC bases. He was a proud member of the Operating Engineers Local 324 for many years, as a heavy equipment operator. After an injury, he moved back to Ontonagon with his family and worked at the Shipyard as the tool room operator, until his retirement in 2007. He was a hard worker and passed on his work ethic to his children. He loved fishing and hunting and spending time with his family and his beloved twin; Daniel Thomas Owens.

Charlie moved to Ishpeming after retirement to be with his daughters. There he met the love of his life, Ruth. They were faithful companions until he moved to Jacobetti Home for Veterans in 2020. He and Ruth enjoyed going to St. Vinnies everyday and loved to bum around at rummage sales every summer. He and Ruth loved spending their days together and spent many days with family and friends. Charlie had a big heart and always was willing to help anyone who asked. He loved to fix things. He was a jokester and loved to play pranks on his friends and tell jokes to everyone he met.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father and mother; Thomas and Martha, his twin; Daniel Owens and his sister; Rosalie Miller.

Charlie is survived by his companion; Ruth Gustafson of Ishpeming, his children; Peggy Erickson of Ishpeming, Wendy Owens of Rapid River, Jeff (Kelly) Owens of Corpus Cristi, TX, Tom (Colleen) Owens of Escanaba, his grandchildren; Emmi Owens of San Diego, CA, Jacob Erickson of Ishpeming, Hope (Benji) Malnar of Rapid River, Devin (Krystle) Gerzetich of Sault Ste. Marie, Jais Lukkari of Ishpeming, Christine (Dan) Doyle of Romulus, Megan Owens of Fargo, ND, Brandon (Kylee) Owens of Escanaba, Michele (Robert) Kallman of Gladstone and numerous great- grandchildren.

A Celebration of Charlie’s Life will be held on Saturday April 23rd, 2022, from 11:00Am – 1:00PM, at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home, where the family will greet relatives and friends. Interment will take place at the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Ontonagon.

Charlie was diagnosed with Dementia and was taken in and cared for with love by all of the staff on the Memory Care Unit at Jacobetti Home for Veterans. Charlie’s family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Memory Care Unit of Jacobetti Home for Veterans for the love and care they have given to Charlie during his stay there. They are a special group of people and their love and support is greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to have donations sent to the Memory Care Unit of Jacobetti Home for Veterans, 425 Fisher St., Marquette, MI 49855, in his memory.

Charlie’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.