Charles Albert Roberts

A visitation for Chuck will be held Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E Washington, DeWitt, MI 48820. A funeral service will take place 12:00 PM Monday, March 13, 2023 at the funeral home with visitation an hour prior. A committal service will follow the service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 4444 W Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906. A reception will follow the burial at the Royal Scott, 4722 W Grand River Ave, Lansing.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years,, Evelyn Roberts; son, Thomas (Kristin) Roberts; daughter Judy (Paul) Pultorak; grandchildren, Dustin (Lindsay) Roberts, Ashley (Kalvin) Demski; John Pultorak and Amanda Pultorak; and great grandchildren, Declan and Connor Roberts and Elijah and Quinn Demski.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mina Roberts, his sister, Dorothy (Mike) Esler and grandson, Shawn Roberts.

Chuck grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and spent much time at the family cabin in Brimley. Chuck had a love of snowmobiling, hockey, and cars. In high school, he played football, basketball, ran cross country and track. Chuck also had a passion for downhill skiing and water skiing. In 1956, he ventured to Lansing with two high school friends and hired into Oldsmobile as a tool and dye welder. Welding was a skill and passion of his. Chuck’s two high school friends were by his side until the end. In 1960, Chuck lost his leg muscles to polio. He did not let that stop him or slow him down. He went to Lansing Community College and received an accounting degree. He hired back into Oldsmobile and worked in hourly payroll for 21 years. Chuck then moved to GM Powertrain until his retirement in 1992. Cost estimating was his dream job where he used his car knowledge along with his accounting skills to work with the engineers on engine designs. Chuck was a board member and treasurer of the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum.

In the 1960’s, Chuck was a member of the legendary Chevair Racing Team and was later inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame. He loved racing at Onondaga Raceway and Detroit Dragway. His 1963 Chevy Impala and 1966 Oldsmobile 442 brought home many trophies, and he raced both of them with hand controls. In 1970, Chuck hung up his racing hat and took to snowmobiling. Arctic Cats were his sled of choice. He rode the trails of northern Michigan and the UP with his brother-in-law, family and friends until the age of 74. He always said he never knew how much fun he had until he got back and heard the stories. His sense of humor in life never wavered.

Chuck was often referred to as the “Mayor of Munn”. He always sat in the same spot up top at the rink and only missed a handful of hockey games in his 30 years of being a season ticket holder. He was a member of the MSU Blue Line Club. His love of hockey showed true as he attended all of his grandson’s travel and high school hockey practices and games and was often the team statistician.

During the 1970’s, Chuck served as president of the Gunnisonville School PTA and was a member of DeWitt Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Chuck loved plowing snow and talking with the neighbors in his garage. In his later years, a day would rarely go by that him and Evelyn did not go to Tim Hortons for coffee and bagels, so they could sit and read the paper in the van. Chuck asked about his grandkids often and loved that they were happy and enjoying life and their careers. He wanted us to be happy and to enjoy life. He never complained and never gave up. So many have expressed their admiration for his perseverance and hard work, and above all else, his love of his family.