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Gordon Charles Obituary
After honorably serving his country in the United States Army during World War II, Gordon married Dorothy Hahnenberg on Aug. 23, 1947. They lived in Traverse City until 1961; then moving to Pierre, S.D., where he worked for the Game, Fish and Parks Department.
In 1965 they returned to Michigan, eventually settling in Traverse City. Gordon was a disc jockey for WTCM and then a journalist for the Traverse City Record-Eagle, retiring in 1997. He was an Outdoor and Travel Editor also. Gordon wrote five books.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, Ruthann (Edward) Kalohn of Milford, Donald (Gabi) Charles of Honolulu, Hawaii, William (Clarissa) Charles of Roseville and Janice (John) Vondra of Holt; his sister, LaVerne Hunter of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and his stepsister, Audrey Haskell of Ft. Pierce, Fla. He was the loving grandfather of Christopher, Laura, Keith, Kimberly, Kaley, Norah, Abbey, MacKenzie and Hannah.
Besides his parents, Gordon was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Edward Zimmerman.
Visitation will be today, May 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Services will be Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Ellinger officiating.
Memorial donation can be directed to Munson Hospice House or The American Cancer Society.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Maxine Geiss
May 8, 2007
Please extend my sympathies to Gordie's family. He was a friend through MOWA of my father, Frenchy Paquin. Have fine memories of him as an excellent reporter and outdoorsman.
Lynn Elliott
May 8, 2007
A great writer, a great outdoorsman, and a great man. All of Gordy's readers and fans will miss him, but he will be in our thoughts every time we're in the great outdoors. We here at the Missaukee Sentinel newspaper offer our sincere condolences to his family.
Zeke Fleet
May 7, 2007
Gordie will surely be missed. His wit, writing skills and outdoor expertise were winning attributes for this great gentleman. I worked with Gordie at the Record-Eagle for many years.
Ilene Geiss-Wilson
May 7, 2007
I am saddened to learn of Mr.Charles' passing. He was a friend of my Grandparents through the Michigan Outdoor Writer's Association. I'm sure they're in Heaven together right now sharing some of the old stories! My sympathies to his family and friends.
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KENN HAVEN
May 6, 2007
IT'S A SHOCKING SURPRISE TO LEARN OF GORDY'S DEATH. OUR AQUAINTANCE GOES BACK TO 1946 WHEN I RETURNED FROM SERVICE TO A JOB AT WTCM. HE WAS ANNOUNCING AND WE BECAME GOOD FRIENDS. WE ENJOYED WORKING TOGETHER AND COLABORATED ON A
SPORTS OUTREACH PUBLICATION PROJECT. FOLLOWING HIS MARRIAGE TO DOROTHY HE LEFT RADIO FOR THE OUTDOOR WRITING CAREER WHICH PARLAYED HIM INTO STATE AND NATIONAL PROMINENCE. HIS VOLUMINOUS WRITINGS ABOUT OUTDOOR SPORTS AND TRAVEL-ADVENTURE EXPLOITS ARE LEGENDARY AND HIS BOOKS FILL A SMALL LIBRARY. I WILL CHERISH THEM IN MEMORY OF MY 'PUNNY' FUNNY FRIEND.
Norris McDowell
May 6, 2007
Bless you, Gordie. May the angels love your famous puns.
James Lyskawa
May 5, 2007
I always called him Uncle Gordie. I was lucky enough to marry into the family. I received a new Schwinn bike for my 50th birthday. In a visit to my father-in-law's, "Jack Hahnenberg", who is Dorothy's brother, I had my bike along. I took it off my vehicle for the kids to enjoy. Gordy said I'm still a kid and off he went on my bike. He just kept riding all over the property. On the grass and through the pines. He looked like a kid again and smiled his great smile. I could picture him remembering his childhood in TC. Not too bad for a guy over 70 years young at the time. Uncle Gordy, We will miss you and always remember "Your Ride". Jim & Cindy Lyskawa
June and Harry Janis
May 4, 2007
Gordie was a good friend to the natural areas of this part of Michigan. In particular we remember his interest in the Skegemog Wildlife Area and his writings which helped to inform the community about it. He will be missed by many.
Mark Sak
May 4, 2007
I asked Gordie Charles to be my mentor several years ago when I entered MOWA because I thought he was the most genuine person I had ever met. We always partnered up for break out day at the conferences because I just wanted to hear his stories. A wonderful man I will never forget. Hope the fishing is better where you're at Gordon. Mark Sak
Jim Herman
May 4, 2007
Please extend my sympathies to Gordie's family. He was one of the finest people I've known in my 35-years-plus in the newspaper business.
I was honored to work with him when I was editor of the Record-Eagle from the late 1970s through 1990. His fishing stories were great.
Jim Herman
Editorial Page Editor
Indianapolis Star
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