Charles Joseph Kase

Charles Joseph Kase, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 5, 2024. He was born at home on Winthrop Street in Detroit, Michigan, on June 16, 1937 to Samuel and Addie Kase, becoming the eighth child of ten. From a very young age, Charlie delivered newspapers on three different routes, contributing his earnings to his family. He would enjoy going to the store and buying raw coconut with his allowance.
After multiple part-time jobs, Charlie started his professional career as an engineer at GM Fisher Body in 1957 at twenty years old. He worked for GM until his retirement in 1991, 3 months before losing Judy, his bride of 33 years. He attended St. Mary's of Redford from kindergarten through high school, enjoying a bonus year of first grade "because my teacher loved me so much." Charlie gained lifelong friends while attending school at St. Mary's and met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Judith Ankofski. Charlie and Judy married on July 12, 1958 and welcomed their first son, Chuck Jr, the following April, coming seven weeks early. Charlie received an Associate's Degree from Lawrence Technological University, while working at GM and raising his family. Judy blessed him with 4 more children over the next 11 years. Charlie and Judy raised their family in Livonia, Detroit, and Warren.
Vacations were spent camping with their good friends, the Walkers (AKA the Marshmallows), and "second daughter" Linda. As their kids grew, they spent summers at Woodland Waters Campground in Romeo where the kids, including their "fifth son" Danny (Beaver), and their families would enjoy many get-togethers. After losing Judy to breast cancer, Dad was fortunate to meet and eventually marry his second wife Patricia in June of 1996. Together they were able to travel the world and perform with a senior singing and dancing troupe at nursing homes and on community stages. Charlie and Pat became snowbirds, living in Bradenton, Florida for four to five months a year. They enjoyed the company of many other active seniors, making great new friends and awesome memories. Charlie and Pat opened their Florida home to all of their children and grandchildren for fun vacations these memories still keep them warm during these Michigan winters. The last two years were spent in Michigan, surrounded and cared for by family while Pat battled Alzheimer's. Sadly, Pat lost her battle in October of 2023 after 27 years of marriage. Charlie was lovingly cared for by his step-daughter Kathy, grandson Andrew (with whom he enjoyed singing his favorite songs), and Residential Hospice Healthcare.
Charlie follows his parents and all of his siblings, Bill/Midge, Helen/Bob, Dorothy/Carl, Lorraine/Chuck, Sam/Shirley, Yvonne/Sid, Barbara/Tom, John, Mary Belle and many more Angels to Heaven. He is survived by sister-in-law, Sharron (John) Kase and brother-in-law, Arnold/Linda Angeloni and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his 5 children and their spouses, Chuck and Michele Kase, Dave and Mary Kase, Lori and Mike Ingles, Jeff and Sandy Kase, and Chris and Joni Kase. They blessed him with 14 grandchildren and spouses (Pooter/Kate, Ere/Collyn, Joshy/Amanda, Kaitlyn/David, Leela/Bradley, Judy/Kevin, Adeline/Mickey, Keith Charlie/Rachel, "Still #1" Beccer/Rachel, Courtney/Jared, Drewbers, Maggers, Rae Rae, and Claire Bear) and 17 great-grandchildren (Charlie, Danny, Ella, Rhett, Tess, Blakey Boo, Liam, Son-a-Bun, Quinny, Nash, Tommy, Cora, Owen, Kylie, Oliver, Russell, and Maverick) who will miss him dearly. Charlie loved his bonus children and their families that include Mike Wright and Christy Salisbury (Shannon, Leah, Heather/Justin and Mackenzie), Kathy Wright (Chase/Savannah and the late Christian), the late Joel Wright and Lori Wright Mouranie, and Tony and Mary Monschau (Ryan/Jessica, Dan, Delilah and Hudson).
The family will greet guests for a memorial visitation at William Sullivan & Sons Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Rd, Utica, MI 48317 on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a Rosary to be offered at 6:00 pm. Charles will lie in-state from 9:30 am until Mass begins at 10:00 am on Friday, January 12, 2024, at St. Jane Frances de Chantel Catholic Church, 38750 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan. A luncheon will immediately follow a service at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to The Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, 1921 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 or The Marquette Chapter of National AMBUCS, PO Box 412, Marquette, MI 49855 (A Nonprofit started by grandchildren, Addie & Mickey Ingles-Sanders, to provide Adaptive Tricycles for Children with special needs).