Charles "Charlie" J. Sietsema

Charles “Charlie” J. Sietsema,
Bridgeport, Michigan
Formerly of Muskegon, Michigan

On Saturday, May 15, 2021 Charles Sietsema passed away at Covenant Medical Center following a Covid- 19 battle, he was fully vaccinated. Charlie was 85 years of age. He was born on November 8, 1935 to the late Matthew and Edith (Deer) Sietsema in Muskegon, Michigan. Charlie married the first love of his life, Doreen Karkanan on July 10, 1954 in Muskegon; they spent 46 years together before she passed away on July 12, 2000. Charlie married the second love of his life, Barbara Gnatkowski (Elgie) on September 6, 2008.

Charlie absolutely loved his career; he continued to dream about it even after retiring. He was employed with General Motors as a Pattern Maker and retired in 1999 after 30 years. Charlie retired so he could care for his first wife Doreen, who was very ill. He was a member of Bridgeport Community Church for nearly 14 years. He was also a member of American Legion Post 22, VFW Post 1566, the Kosciuszko Club, Clio Eagles and the Moose Club (Houghton Lake). He was an avid outdoorsman; he loved to fish and camp, especially in Houghton Lake. Charlie was a handy man; he was skilled in carpentry, upholstery and fixing any item that needed fixing. Charlie was the lead cook in almost every holiday get together; he loved having fish fry’s and was always the life of the party. Above all Charlie cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Charlie is survived by his wife Barbara, children: Ken (Leanne) Sietsema of Crossville, Tennessee, Tammy (Carlos) Mistry of Crystal, Michigan, Brian (Beth) Sietsema of Owosso, Michigan and stepdaughter Angela (Melissa) Elgie of Birch Run, Michigan, grandchildren: Jennifer (Daniel) Brumbley of Fenwick, Michigan, Kevin (Kelly) Mistry of Tallahassee, Florida, Chelsea (Ashton) Torres of Cadillac, Michigan, Merissa (Michael) Sietsema of Owosso, Michigan, Charlie (Telese) Sietsema of Crossville, Tennessee, Travis (Madi) Sietsema of Crossville, Tennessee and step- grandchildren: Keegan, Aly, Kennedy, Kaden and Clara Aldrich all of Birch Run, Michigan. He is also survived by his great- grandchildren: James and Alora Brumbley, Ethan and Sophia Sietsema, Raigen Sietsema, Jackson Shepherd, and Ethan and Isabelle Mistry. His sister- in- law Agnes Sietsema of Merced California and brother- in- law Robert (Diane) Karkanan of Muskegon also survive him.

Charlie was predeceased by his children, Larry Sietsema and Bruce Sietsema, his siblings, Allen Sietsema, Doris (Gus) Majors, Lorraine (Ralph) DeBoer, and Barbara (Donald) Yorkson. Also predeceasing him are his father and mother in law Uno and Dorothy Karkanan and Delores Karkanan.

A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Bridgeport Community Church (3821 State Street, Bridgeport, Michigan). Pastor Ron Sinclair will officiate. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens will follow. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may donate memorials to Bridgeport Community Church in lieu of flowers. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, masks will be required, and social distancing will be encouraged.

To honor Charlie’s death, please wear your mask, get your vaccination and social distance to protect our vulnerable, precious elderly, parents and grandparents.