Charles A. 'Chuck' Skiba

Charles A. "Chuck" Skiba, age 76, of AuGres passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 31, 2017.
He was born on May 19, 1941 in Alpena to the late Anthony and Agnes Skiba (nee Wielinski). He graduated from Alpena Catholic Central High School in 1959 and he continued his education at Alpena Community College.
Chuck later earned his Bachelors of Science degree, in biology, from Eastern Michigan University, where he played college basketball, was a member of the Arm of Honor fraternity and where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Burja. They were married on Oct. 19, 1963 in Allen Park at the St. Stephens Byzantine Catholic Church. They returned to Alpena in the late 1960s where Chuck taught biology and coached basketball and football at his high school alma mater.
In May 1970, he began his career as a conservation officer, Law Division, for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Wakefield. In the fall of 1972, Chuck and Mary Ann moved to AuGres, where he continued in his chosen career until his retirement in May of 1995. While working for the DNR, Chuck was commissioned as a federal agent and worked with those agents on special assignments.
He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 7717 and a past grand knight. Chuck helped develop the AuGres Little League baseball fields on North Main Street. He was also a charter member of the AuGres Walleye Club, a member of the Lions Club, the AuGres men's club and St. Mark Catholic Church. He was a proud peace officer and he enjoyed his leisure time golfing, fishing, especially fly fishing on the AuSable River, big game hunting, bird hunting with his German Shorthairs, and spending time at his cabin that he built with his boys, and he was an avid card player with his family.
Chuck's love of turkey hunting and expertise of turkey calling played a pivotal role in the development and transplantation of turkeys in Arenac County. He was an accomplished carpenter and mason and used these skills to help build St. Anne Catholic Church in Harrisville.
Chuck is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Mary Ann Skiba; three sons and two daughters, Matthew Charles (Sue) Skiba of AuGres, Julie Ann (David) Blatnik of Findlay, Ohio, John Anthony Skiba (Christi Rice) of Milan, Ann Terese Skiba (Jeff Raybourn) of AuGres and Dr. Charles Anthony Skiba Jr. of Beverly Hills, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Christopher James O'Harris, Ian Michael O'Harris, Allison Rose Skiba, Alexia Marie Blatnik, Grace Ann Blatnik, Emma Terese Brownell and Elle Marie Brownell. He was the ninth child of 14, with eight surviving siblings; Arlene Smith of Gaylord, Loretta (Rusty) Rhoads of Alpena, Helen Campbell of Los Angeles, Calif., Tony (Carla) Skiba of Alpena, Pete (Lynne) Skiba of Alpena, Patrick Skiba of Alpena, Debbie Riiber of Oslo, Norway and Richard (Chris) Skiba of Alpena. He is also survived by many loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and hundreds of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister, Dan Skiba, Jerry Skiba, Alice Szczukowkski, Albert Skiba and Tom Skiba.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. (instate at 10 a.m.) at St. Mark Catholic Church in AuGres. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. (7 p.m. scripture) at Buresh Funeral Home in AuGres. Condolences may be offered at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.