Charles B. Mack

Charles Mack was born to Return Mack and Eunice Swinehart on January 28, 1935 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he lived out his life, just shy of 91 years, passing peacefully at 5:15am January 17, 2026, with his son, Michael nearby. Known to his friends as Chuck or Charlie, he married Miriam Marcelle Chaney on August 6, 1953 and they shared 2 children. He was trained as a paratrooper in the Airborne Wing of the Army, joined by his brother, Stanley Mack and was stationed in Germany. He spent 2 additional years in the Reserve Army and was discharged May 9, 1960 as a Specialist Fourth Class. During his time of service he divorced and on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1956, married Joyce Lorraine Lacey. They spent 50 years together, parted only by her death in 2006. They shared 5 children. Just before Christmas of 1965 he moved his family into the home he built on the edge of Kalamazoo County, near Mattawan.

Charlie spent many years as an auto body man at Martin Auto Body on Alcott Street in Kalamazoo. He eventually bought the business. In 1975 he built the first mobile fire equipment sales and service business known as Mack's Fire Equipment. He worked as an insurance adjuster, coming back out of retirement for a time. He spent many years supporting charities, such as St. Judes. His favorite charitable activity was organizing and supporting fund raisers for the March of Dimes, his favorite location for holding auctions being near Hardy Dam in Newaygo County, Michigan, where he owned land. As well as his visible charitable gifts, he was always there to help anyone that needed it behind the scenes. Love was returned to him, his gifts multiplied. His other favorite activities were skydiving, hunting, playing cards, helping a few of his children build their homes, playing golf, bowling, darts, and pool, the favorite location for the latter being the Sugar Bowl Bar & Grill where he participated in tournaments.

Charlie was cared for during his last years by his youngest son, Michael. Preceding him in death were his parents, both wives, brothers Don, Howard, Dave & Stan, sisters Bert, Pat & Lois, as well as one grandson, Nicholas Willard. One sister remains, as well as his 7 children, Connie, Rodney (Kassie), Rick, Dan, Lorri (Scott), Curt (Ellen) and Michael along with 22 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Cremation has been carried out by Adams-Redmond Funeral Home and Cremation Services 4100 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI. Please join us to honor and celebrate Charlie's life Saturday, January 24, 2026 11am at Calvary Community Church, 7829 5th St, Mattawan, MI, Rev. Jill Russell officiating. Lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.