Charles "Charlie" Chapko Sr.

Loving husband, father and grandfather, Charles "Charlie" Chapko Sr., age 86, of Elsie, MI, went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 1, 2018. He will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Bill Gruden officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and on Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI. A Rosary will be prayed Thursday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Charlie was born and raised on a farm in Ashley, MI on October 31, 1931, the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Skriba) Chapko.

Charlie was a gentle, loving and quiet man with a fun sense of humor and was a good listener.  He was a member of St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Bannister, MI. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. He worked at Elsie Machine Company alongside his brothers Tony, Steve and Frank for many years. He was a huge Detroit Tigers fan and had fulfilled his dream two years ago by attending several spring training games while on vacation in Florida. He also loved to play the accordion, listen to polka music, attend polka dances, fish on summer vacations in the Upper Peninsula and go to the casino now and then. However, his greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, family and friends.

He married his second wife and best friend Micky Chapko of Elsie, MI on May 30, 2015 and she survives him along with his daughter Christine (Dwight) Boak, St. Johns, MI; son Charles (Carrie Ann) Chapko, St. Johns, MI; son in law Richard Villarreal, St. Johns, MI; grandchildren: Michael (Brittany) Villarreal, Rachel and Matthew Boak, Charles and Christian Chapko, great grandson Gavin Villarreal, step children: Elaine (Jon) Bartholic, Ovid, MI; Marcia (Ken) Pangborn, Elsie, MI; John (Lisa) Chapko, Elsie, MI; Frank (Yolanda) Chapko, Elsie, MI; Lori (Jim) Porubsky, Bannister, MI; Jeff (Camie) Chapko, Elsie, MI; Michelle Bisson, East Jordan, MI; Tamara Bodine-Wilson, Coto De Caza, CA; and Tim (Tammy) Chapko, Atlanta, GA; along with many step grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters: Mary (Stan) Divish and Margaret Chovance, and sisters in law: Rose Chapko, Mildred Chapko and Angela (Howard) Clevenger.  He was preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years Patricia Chapko, daughter Lisa Villarreal, parents Stephen and Elizabeth Chapko, 3 sisters: Irene, Helen and Ann, and 7 brothers: Joe, Mike, John, Bill, Frank, Tony and Steve.

Memorials may be made to St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.