Charles Augustus Lindeberg, 91, of Holland MI, formerly of Waterford, MI passed away on October 5, 2023 after complications from a fall at his home on September 17, 2023. Charlie was born at his grandparents farm in Stillwater, MN on May 9, 1932; the third of five children born to Reuben G. Lindeberg and Hattie (Ball) Lindeberg. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Pontiac, MI, ironically just around the corner from the Pontiac Police Department. A few years later the family moved to a farm on a small lake on the outskirts of Pontiac where Charlie enjoyed swimming and ice skating on the lake. At the age of 14, after obtaining a clerking job at the corner market, Ralph’s Market, he flexed his independence and moved out on his own into a small apartment connected to the market. The market owners, the Ralph family, became lifelong family friends. Also at the age of 14 he met the love of his life, Rena Perella, at a Valentine’s Day party and they remained high school sweethearts. Charlie entered the U.S. Army immediately after his high school graduation in 1950 and was stationed primarily in Heidelberg, Germany. Upon his return home, he and Rena were married on May 23, 1953 in Rochester, MI. Their first homes were in Otter Lake, MI and Mt. Morris, MI.
Charlie was a gregarious guy, his early job after the service was driving a “bread route” near Flint, MI for Mills Bakery. His story is that he was a favorite in the rural areas where he made his deliveries and was a pretty successful salesman too! Charlie and Rena missed their relatives in Pontiac though, and shortly after the birth of their first child, moved back to Pontiac. It was then that Charlie began his career in public service. He became a Pontiac police officer in November 1960 after graduating at the top of his Police Academy class. He made several lifelong friends, both within the Police Department and while “walking the beat” on the midnight shift in downtown Pontiac. He joined Bloomfield Township MI Fire Department in January, 1967, rising to the rank of Lieutenant, then Fire Inspector, Deputy Chief and was named Fire Chief in 1982. He was proudly very involved in the early start-up of the EMS program in Oakland County, MI and earned A LOT of Continuing Education credits at associated professional conferences. He also took a variety of classes at Oakland County area colleges, but many times he seemed to think he should teach those classes rather than be the student! He retired from Bloomfield Township Fire Department in 1992 after 25 years of service.
Charlie always had a passion for anything made of wood. He built, from scratch, his beloved “Cabin” in the woods in Antrim County, MI. Charlie and Rena moved to Holland, MI in 1998 to be near their daughter and family. Charlie was a member of Evergreen Commons and enjoyed their woodworking room, in particular he loved wood carving by hand and milling unique wooden bowls.
Charlie was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Rena; an infant daughter, Sherry Ann; his parents, Reuben and Hattie; his brother Merle Lindeberg; sister Lucille Burt and brother-in-law Jim Burt; sister Doris Oliver; sister-in-law Laurie Lindeberg; in-laws Paul and Elsie Johnson and his wife’s 7 siblings and spouses.
He is survived by his daughter Gail Van Vels and son-in-law Randy Van Vels; grandsons Fr. Daniel Lannen, OSFS; Patrick (Alexandra) Lannen, great-granddaughter, Vasiliki Rena Lannen; bonus grandchildren Candi (Rob) Skinner; Allison (Chad) Webbert and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother, Norman (Laurie deceased) Lindeberg; brother-in-law Dick (Doris deceased) Oliver; sister-in-law Dona (Merle deceased) Lindeberg; Paul II and Sharon Johnson and numerous treasured nieces and nephews. Charlie was honorary “Uncle Charlie” and “2nd Dad” to many friends, children of friends and friends of his daughter, all were loved as part of his family. He will be missed.
At his request, Charlie has been cremated. A local visitation will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Lakeshore Memorial Services (11939 James Street, Holland, MI 49424) from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. A funeral service with Military Honors will be held on October 12, 2023 at 11:30 AM at the Chapel of Flowers in White Chapel Memorial Park (621 W. Long Lake Rd., Troy, MI 48098). Inurnment at White Chapel will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, PO Box 2868, Toledo, OH 43606 or by “paying it forward” to someone in his honor.
Arrangements are by Lakeshore Memorial Services and an online condolence registry is available at lakeshorememorial.com
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