CHARLES JOSEPH "CHUCK" GUNNING

Charles Joseph (Chuck) Gunning, 83, of Marquette passed away on Sunday, July 12th at his home with his wife at his side. He had been battling Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia for the past several years. Chuck was born December 26, 1936. He was the first born son of Charles Joseph and Mary Ann Gunning of St. Clair Shores, MI. Chuck went to school in the St. Clair Shores area graduating from Lake Shore High School in 1955. Upon graduation, he went to work for the United States Postal Service in St.Clair Shores. Chuck and two of his friends joined the U.S. Army in 1956. Following basic training, he received training in refrigeration in Virginia and then was shipped out overseas to Italy. In his off time, he would travel throughout Europe and enjoyed skiing in the beautiful mountains. He proudly served his country from 1956 to 1959. When he returned home, he went back to work for the St. Clair Shores Post Office and then landed a job as an refrigeration engineer in Detroit with the Detroit Edison Company. Chuck had a passion for fishing and hunting, specifically bear hunting, so he eventually relocated to the Munising area. He found employment with Duquaine Refrig...[more]

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tion and later with Montgomery Wards, employed for his refrigeration skills. When there was an opening at the Marquette Post Office, he applied and was hired. In 1973 while on his postal route, he met Patricia (Oxenford). They soon started dating and were married on Aug 2, 1975, at her parents house. They lived in Marquette for 16 years before Chuck felt the city was getting too big for him. Chuck and Pat then found their dream home in Sands Township where they lived for the next 29 years. Chuck was part of several bowling teams and also a member of the Marquette BPO Elks. Being an avid outdoorsman who loved his golfing, hunting and fishing, he decided to try something new and ventured West, making multiple trips to Montana to hunt deer and elk. Every October, his parents and brother travelled north for some duck hunting. If he was not golfing, hunting or fishing, he was always getting his exercise by going for a walk and enjoying his time outside. Chuck retired from the United States Postal Service in 1994. He still enjoyed his hobbies and for many years ran the senior golf league at The Red Fox Golf Course at KI Sawyer. He also did electrical work for friends and soon had a long list of clients. He was a third degree Knight of Columbus member and was given the honorary membership a few years ago. He was also an active member of the NALC Postal Workers Union. Chuck joined the Old Timers Coffee Club at the Marquette Senior Center and loved going to friend Tony DePetro's garage for morning coffee. In the summer, Chuck would join former working pals and good friends of over 50 years at McDonalds for breakfast. Chuck was a member of St. Louis the King Church in Harvey. On Sundays after church, he enjoyed breakfast at Big Boy restaurant with family and good friends Jim and Sharon Farrell. He also enjoyed traveling to visit his daughter Kris and his son Terry & wife Lana and was proud to be grandpa to 4 granddaughters. He was a Packer fan and enjoyed watching their games on TV and watching golf as well. In September 2016 to celebrate a milestone birthday, Pat hosted a surprise 80th Birthday party for Chuck with family and close friends attending. It was a great day and Chuck was totally surprised. Chuck is survived by his wife of 44 years Patricia (DeRocher), children Terry (Lana) Harstford, Kris Oxenford, and Charles (Charlie) J. Gunning, his granddaughters Nora Rain Harstford, Marley Summer Harstford, Eden Sky Harstford, and Iris Autumn Harstford. He is further survived by his sister Mary Lou Ferrel, brother Donald (Janice) Gunning, sister Maureen (Richard) Pilkington, as well as several nephews, nieces and cousins. He is also survived by Aunt, Sarah (Bill) Pree, brothers-in-law, John DeRocher and Joe DeRocher, close personal friend of over 50 years, Don Beaudoin plus good friends, Tony, Dan, Chick, Neil, Joe M, Joe S, Jim, Wayne, along with church family and special friends Rhode and Carol and many, many more. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother-in-law Sam Ferrel, several uncles and aunts, and special friend Frank Kobie. Visitation will take place on Monday, July 20th at St. Louis the King Cathollic Church in Harvey from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with a Mass of Christian Burial starting at noon in the church with Rev. Glenn Theoret officiating. Please respect the guidelines and wear a face mask. At this time due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will not be a luncheon. Pallbearers: Don Gunning, Jim Farrell, Scott Beaudoin representing his father Don, Dave Darling, Tony DePetro, Chick Koski, Bill Tibor, and Dan Rice. A private burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eastwood Nursing Center, 900 Maas St. Negaunee, MI; St Louis the King Church, 264 Silver Creek Rd Marquette MI; Jacobetti Veterans Home, 425 Fisher St. Marquette MI; or Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 Baraga Ave. Marquette MI. The family would like to thank Father Glenn, Dr. Stuart Johnson, Dr. Roman Politi, Dr. Kristofer Dosh, and the entire staff at Eastwood for caring for Chuck and those super gold star nurses, too many to name but you know who you all are. God Bless you for all the work that you do. Chuck told us you all deserve a gold star!!!! Also a big thank you to Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice nurses and aids. God Bless everyone who has helped Chuck and his family throughout this time. Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Gunning family where memories of Chuck may be shared at canalefuneral.com.