Sandra ‘Sandy’ L. Charles

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CORNELL - Sandra "Sandy" L. Charles, 67, Cornell, passed away early Saturday morning, Oct. 4, 2008, at her home.

She was born July 24, 1941, to the late James and Josephine (Brant) Foster in Benton Harbor, Mich.

On April 16, 1966, she married Fred Charles in South Bend, Ind.

Sandy, along with her family, moved from St. Joe, Mich., to the Escanaba area in 1970. She drove school bus for the Escanaba School system for 13 years and she was a member of Holy Family Parish in Flat Rock, the Red Hat Society and the Cornell Web.

Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, cooking, going to the casino and most of all she treasured and enjoyed her time with family and friends.

Sandy will be remembered for her generosity to others and always helping anyone in need.

Sandy is survived by her husband of 42 years; three children, Rod (Andrea) Charles, Gary Charles (Debbie Edwardsen) and Michaele "Shelly" Charles (Wayne Manninen); four brothers, James (Dodi), Milton, Thomas and Glenn Foster; six grandchildren, Valerie, Jenae, Ashley, Alexandria, Samantha and Braelyn; and one great-grandson, Quentin. Sandy is further survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many others dear to her heart and part of her extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Darlene Banasiewicz, Wilma Wroblewski and Rhonda Stratton.

Friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Allo Funeral Home in Escanaba.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Parish in Flat Rock with Fr. Frank M. Lenz officiating. A luncheon will follow services in the church hall.

Inurnment will take place in the Gardens of Rest Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, her family requests the donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home and church.

In living memory of Sandy, a tree will be planted in a Michigan state forest.