Charles Lewis Battley

     Charles Lewis "Charlie" Battley, age 88, of Merrill, MI, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024, at his home.
     Funeral Services will be held at Ithaca Wesleyan Church , Ithaca, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 12, 2024, with Pastor Doug Strait officiating. Burial will take place at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4-8 P.M. at the Ithaca Wesleyan Church.
     Charles was born in Wheeler Twp, MI on May 22, 1936, the son of Ancel Dee and Agnes Marion (Snyder) Battley. On June 11, 1965, Charles married Consuelo Ramirez at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wheeler, MI. They were married forty years prior to her passing on December 4, 2005.
     Early in his life, Charlie held many different jobs as a migrant worker before settling back in Michigan. Charlie was a skilled tradesman, specifically as a tool grinder and worked at the GM Steering Gear in Saginaw. He retired from GM in 1991, after 36 1/2 years. Charlie's passion was being an at home mechanic and saw fixing cars as a puzzle to be solved. Later in life he switched to fixing lawnmowers instead of cars. He loved to fish and enjoyed to sing, going to gospel music jamborees 2-3 times a week, before Covid. After Consuelo passed away, Charlie learned to sew and fix his own clothing. He then became the family tailor and was very meticulous in his sewing. Charlie will be fondly remembered for his socializing skills and the stories that he loved to share with everyone. He was a member of Ithaca Wesleyan Church.
     He is survived by his daughter Kathleen Albin; daughter Sally Ann and Bernard Rittenour; son Scott and Michelle Battley; daughter Yvette and Frank Way; son David Battley; son-in-law Dan Johnson; twelve grandchildren: Anthony, Lisa, Tara, Nick, Noah, Seth, Samantha, Travis, Charlene, Keenan (Gabriela), Gabriel, and Victoria (Ethan); many great- grandchildren; sister Carol Peak. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Consuelo, his first wife Yvonne English, daughter Cynthia Johnson, son Christopher Battley, brothers: Elwin Battley, Sherman Foster, and Floyd Foster; also infant brother George Battley.
     Memorials may be made to the Ithaca Wesleyan Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.