Charles was born on August 24, 1930 in Portland, MI the son of John and Olivia (Koster) Trierweiler. He was raised on a farm, along with his five sisters and three brothers. He attended elementary and high school in Westphalia, MI then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After serving our country, Charles attended Tri-State College (now Trine University). Upon graduation, he embarked on a successful career as an automotive engineer, working for several companies, primarily the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors.
Charles made a positive impact on everyone around him. He was always ready with a broad smile and infectious laugh that brightened the room. Charles invariably had a friendly joke and would share many while playing cards with his children, grandchildren, and friends. He excelled at sports, playing high school baseball and basketball for Westphalia, then golf and softball as an adult. Charles and his wife Jeanne loved the Michigan Wolverines and Detroit sports teams, and enthusiastically rooted for the Tigers every day during baseball season. He was a long-time member of St. Gerard’s Parish where he was a lector, a Cub Scout pack leader, participated in the bridge club and bowling league, and was a coach for his children’s teams in baseball, softball, and basketball. He was also a man of great faith – in his religious beliefs, in his family and friends, and in the overall goodness of people. As such, Charles dedicated much of his life to guiding, inspiring, and supporting others, whether as a beloved husband, treasured father and grandfather, passionate parishioner, admired coach, or just a friendly face in a crowd. Though his blessed journey on Earth has ended, Charles lives on in the hearts and minds of all those who have met or known him.
Preceding Charles in death are his parents and siblings, Eva (Charles) Reineke, Frances (William) Hoffman, Margaret (Michael) LaRaia, Mary Louise Trierweiler, Annette (Edwin) Owen, William (Colleen) Trierweiler, granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Franklin, and Jeanne’s daughter Juli Elliott. Surviving Charles are his wife of 33 years, Jeanne (Buck) Trierweiler; children, Charles Stephen (Gina) Trierweiler of Chevy Chase, MD, Theresa (Michael) Carella of Lansing, MI and John (Odessa) Trierweiler of Fairport, NY; grandchildren, Isabella Trierweiler, Anja Trierweiler, Anna Carella, Catherine Franklin, Emily Franklin, Kevin Trierweiler, and Stephanie Trierweiler; siblings, John (Catherine, deceased) Trierweiler, Richard (Barbara) Trierweiler; his former wife and mother of their children, Barbara (Degnan) Trierweiler, of Lansing, MI; his wife Jeanne’s children, John (Shelly) Elliott of St. Ignace, MI, and Joni (Gary) Williams of Greer, SC, along with Juli’s husband Darrick Wilkos; their grandchildren Elizabeth Elliott (Jesse) Piippo, Alicia Elliott, Joshua (Andrea) LaFave, Ashli (Alan) La Madrid, Ryan Wallace, Leah Williams, (Andrew) Burke, and Ben Williams; along with many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Martin at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 12, 2024 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, Lansing, MI. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service to take place at 7:00 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI. Online condolences may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com
Donations in memory of Charles M. Trierweiler can be made to the charity of your choice.
To view the livestream of the funeral mass, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/99791
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