Charles L. Gendron

Chuck was born on August 1, 1932, in Gladstone, MI, son of Charles and Rose (VanDamme) Gendron. He enlisted into the United States Army with 8 years of dedicated service time. Two years of combat in Korea and continued his service as Post Commander at the Rapid River American Legion as a volunteer.

Chuck was a career long educator, which allowed him to share his vast knowledge with so many.

Over the 32 years he spent in the Gwinn Community School district he was known as “Mr. Gendron” and to all that knew him as such, meant they were taught business, accounting, drivers ed and adult community education, but more importantly they were taught life. Chuck prided himself on making sure teaching was just not teaching but rather making an impact on a person. During his teaching years he also coached numerous football teams in Gwinn where he partnered with his good friends, and together they made lasting impacts on so many student athletes. He additionally coached Little League and Basketball.

Chuck married his beautiful wife Marilyn in January of 1958, together they enjoyed 67 fantastic years together. They raised 4 children and enjoyed watching 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren grow and follow in the footsteps that they proudly set forth. Knowing the groundwork was laid, Chuck and Marilyn could sit back peacefully, and know that they had made lasting impacts on them all. Chuck was an avid outdoorsman, with his biggest story being that he knew where all the walleye were in the bay, or that he knew there was the biggest buck just around this corner, about a 1/4 mile back there! If you wanted to know where Chuck was during his retired years, you just need to take a ride in the woods! He served many years on the Gwinn VFW and the Rapid River Lions Club as well.

Chuck may have been known as “Mr. Gendron” for many years, but his loved ones called him “Charles”, “Dad”, and “Papa”. Those three names may not mean much to most but those that loved him, they meant so much more. They meant dances during kids and grandkids weddings, they meant a multi day boat ride to hijack a few good rocks for the new sauna stove, they meant sitting on his lap and pointing the boat toward the point. They meant reeling in the big walleye, or a quick three wheeler ride around the driveway, or a front row seat to every sporting or life event that we all had.

Chuck was admired by many, but those of us that knew him as, “Charles”, “Dad”, and “Papa” always felt the love and support that we will forever hold in our hearts. WE LOVE YOU, “Charles”, “Dad”, “Papa”!!

In addition to his parents, Charles and Rose, he is preceded in death by, brothers, Leon, Harvey and Louis Gendron

Chuck is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilyn Gendron

Children: Carilyn (Terry) Froberg of Gwinn, MI

Brenda (Dan) Tregembo of Gwinn, MI

Chuck (Kay) of St. Charles, MO

Paul Gendron of Grand Rapids, MI

Grandkids: Haley (Jamie) Seagle, Collene (Brandon) Eden, Charlie (Stacy) Tregembo, “Dan Dan” (Sarah) Tregembo, Charles W.K. (Kara) Gendron, Melissa (Shawn Sung) Gendron, Richard Gendron

Great Grandchildren: Caroline Seagle, Everett and Vance Eden, Lexi, Addi, Noah, Logan Tregembo, Oliver Sung

Brother: John Gendron

and very close Cousin Paul VanDamme

And several nieces and Nephews

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Honors will conclude visiting hours at 1:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A memorial mass will take place at 2:00 PM at the St. Charles of Borromeo Catholic Church in Rapid River with a luncheon to follow at the parish center. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed in Chuck’s honor to DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or Rapid River American Legion Post 301, 10584 North Main Street, Rapid River, MI 49878. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Gendron family. To offer an online message of sympathy please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.