Charles Stolnack

Charlie was born March 15, 1926 in Imperial Heights, Baraga County, to Otto and Celia (Makela) Stolnack. They moved to Negaunee in 1929, where he graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1944. Following graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army, completing basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas with the Horse Cavalry. Charlie proudly served during WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations, having served in India, Burma and China.

Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Charlie began his working career with Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company as an underground miner. While on strike at CCI, he also worked underground at Mt. View Mine in Butte, Montana for the Anaconda Company. Charlie retired from CCI in 1997 with over 30 years of service.

Mr. Stolnack was a former member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, Negaunee. He enjoyed photography, having over 10,000 slides, traveling out West to national parks, snowshoeing, taking long walks, and was an avid fan of the Negaunee Miners, Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers. He attended the 1962 Tigers-Yankees baseball game in which the Tigers lost 7-9 in an impressive 22 innings. In his younger years, Charlie enjoyed playing softball and bowling.

Surviving are his sister-in-law, Patricia Stolnack of Farmington Hills and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Albert, John and James Stolnack; five sisters: Bertha Anderson, Alma Syrjala, Ruth Nicholas, Ellen Nicholas and Sylvia Vercoe.

Visitation will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee on Tuesday, August 22nd from 10:00 am, until the time of funeral services at 11:00 am with Rev. Bre Kinnunen officiating. A luncheon will take place in the fellowship hall.

Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charles, John and James Vercoe, Michael Stolnack, Jack Nicholas and Chester Salmela.

Charlie’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.