Charles Ray Palone

Our beloved Charles “Charlie” Palone, age 78, of Battle Creek, went home to the Lord on January 9, 2026 surrounded by his family and friends. He was born December 4, 1947 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas to Ray and Dolores (London) who later married his step-father, Ernest Shedd. Charlie is a 1966 graduate of Hastings High school and attended Kellogg Community College. He was employed in Battle Creek by the Clark Equipment Company for 20 years until it closed and then the Kellogg Company.

Charlie loved and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He also liked to be outdoors, recycle metals, exercise and lend a helping hand to whoever needed it. He is a proud registered Native American of the Oklahoma Cherokee Nation, involved with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi in Fulton, MI, and a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 298.

Charlie is survived by his son, Phil (Connie) Palone; sister, Carol (Bill) Kopp; brother, Richard (Diann) Palone; his grandchildren, Beth Long, Branden (Lexee) Palone, Brad Lambert and Karley Palone; great-grandchildren, Braylen Brown, Brynlee West, Cole Cowper and Tayte Palone; step-brother, Jerry Shedd and step-sister, Mary (Lyndell) Byrd. He is also survived by special nieces, Jennifer (Denver) Modert, Lisa (Sesus) Cook, Kelly (Ryan) Penny; great-nieces & nephews, Calib, Vanessa, Malena, Mason, Makenzie, Chanler, Grady, Lynnley, Rylynn in addition to several other nieces and nephews. Charlie was sadly preceded in death by his parents and stepfather; his grandson, Jonnie Palone; half-sisters, Dolores Forrest, Jackie Hack and Janet Swanson; half-brother, James Jones; niece, Laurie Court; nephew, Blake Morgan; step-sister, Sally Audette and other family members.

Charlie’s family will receive friends 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2026 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where funeral services to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Athens Indian Church 2206 1 1/2 Mile Rd. Fulton, MI 49052.  Personal messages for family and favorite memories of Charlie may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.