Ann Burke-Bushaw

1940 - 2025

Ann Burke-Bushaw
Irons Michigan
June 28, 2025
Ann Elizabeth Burke-Bushaw, 85, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, after a full and beautiful life.
Born on March 13, 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to William J. and Gertrude (Feldpausch) Burke, Ann grew up in Standale, Michigan at the family residence at Rosedale Memorial Park, where her family lived and worked. She attended Catholic Central High School and spent time in her childhood years at the family's cabin in Irons, Michigan - roller skating, swimming, and visiting her high school sweetheart's family.
After high school, Ann married Joseph John Charnes, and together they raised five children, first in Charlotte, Michigan, and later on Joe's family farm in Irons. Later in life, she reunited with and married her high school sweetheart, Donald Lee Bushaw, and they shared many happy years together.
A devoted homemaker, Ann worked hard on the farm and later at the Dublin General Store. She loved to "dig in the dirt" and spent countless hours tending to her flower gardens, which she doted on year after year. From 2002 until her passing, Ann was a proud snowbird, spending half the year in Green Valley, Arizona. There, she was a beloved member of the Casa Paloma II community and part of the informal "Pecan" swim group - rain or shine, she was always at the pool.
Despite growing up just outside of Grand Rapids, Ann was a country girl at heart. She especially loved her family's many pets and time spent in the woods. For years, she visited the Oak Grove Tavern for weekly hot dog nights and live music, one of many simple pleasures she cherished.
Ann enjoyed the little things in life and had a generous, welcoming heart. She made others feel seen, heard, and loved. Adventurous and down-to-earth, she lived a life full of memories and meaningful connections.
Ann is preceded in death by her parents, William J. and Gertrude Burke; her brother, William J. Burke III; her former husband, Joseph John Charnes; and her husband, Donald Lee Bushaw.
She is survived by her five children, Chuck (Darlene) Charnes, Barb Charnes, Dan (Keli) Charnes, JoAnn Elizabeth Parmentier, and Kate (Mehl) Adams; stepson Jeff (Tina) Bushaw; niece Judith Drier; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; lifelong friend Marty Long; and many beloved extended family members and friends.
Ann was a well-known and loved part of the Irons-area community and will be remembered for her warmth, humor, and deep love for her family and friends.