Obituary: Charles Felt, 89, of Shelby

July 15, 2024

Chuck Felt

Charles “Chuck” Franklin Felt, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. He was born November 21, 1934, in Muskegon, the son of Clarence and Lillie Felt.

Chuck was raised in North Muskegon where he played football for the North Muskegon Norsemen, leading his team as captain for a season. In Chuck’s senior year he made the choice to leave school, he and a friend dropped out together, and took a road trip to see the Mackinac Bridge being built. During their adventure he and his friend decided they would join the military, when they arrived back to Muskegon the two joined the United States military.

Chuck proudly served in the U.S. Army for four years and six months. During those years, he met his wife of 68 years, Margaret. They married on June 16, 1956. The two moved just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to start their journey together. Chuck continued his service in the Army, while Margaret taught at a school across Valley Forge. They stayed in Pennsylvania for one year, returning to North Muskegon for a short period of time before they bought a farm in New Era, where they were blessed with five children.

Upon Chuck’s return to west Michigan, he sought out a new career. Following in his brother Roger’s footsteps, he joined the local #7 union as a sheet metal apprentice. Within four years Chuck gained his journeyman and worked for 41 years. In that time Chuck worked for East Muskegon Sheet Metal until he opened and operated his own industrial sheet metal shop, Felt Fabricating, in Rothbury. Chuck, his brother, and cousins ran Felt Fabricating, a booming business, for 21 years. Soon after Chuck’s business partners retired, he decided it was time to retire himself.

In the early 90’s, Chuck, with the help of his son Dennis, wife Margaret, a family friend, and a nephew, built a post and beam retirement home. A sanctuary for him and Margaret, on 40 Acres, in Shelby, on Pierce Road, equipped with a balcony solely for the purpose of deer hunting.

Chuck and Margaret then purchased a second home on Pine Island in Florida where they spent six months out of the year for 24 years. When in Florida, Chuck loved to fish off his boats with his faithful dog, Muffin, his first chief and mate. The two of them spent many hours together in the Pine Island Sound and the Gulf, anywhere they could find a fish. During his time in Michigan, Chuck spent many hours in his garage refurbishing antique cars and tractors, and many, many, hours working with his beloved John Deere tractor.

Chuck is survived by: his loving wife, Margaret Felt; children, Paula (Jodi) Blackmore, Joseph (Dawn) Felt, Mary (Dan) Vos, Dennis (Lesley) Felt, and Edward (Lisa) Felt; sisters, Virginia (Andy) Zeiler and Ingrid (Art) Swanson; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many cousins and other extended family members.

Chuck was preceded in death by: his parents, Clarence and Lillie Felt; step-mother, Lea Felt; and brothers, Lynn, Roger, George, and Eric Felt.

In accordance with Chuck’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oceana County Medical Care Facility’s Activities Department, 701 E. Main Street, Hart, MI 49420.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.