Charles John Ellsworth

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Charles John Ellsworth, 76, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away June 28, 2018, at Minnesota Heart Institute in Minneapolis due to complications from mitral valve heart surgery.

He will be forever missed by his wife, entire family and his two cats, Sassy and Baby, who look for him every day.

Charlie was born Feb. 20, 1942, in Marquette, Mich., to George and Jennie (Burns) Ellsworth. He traveled all around the country with his family for his dad's work, and his favorite place was Parker, Az. He always talked about going back there someday.

The family finally settled back in Finn Town just outside of Bergland, Mich. Charlie loved it there, even though he had to carry large buckets of water up and down the hill so his mom could wash clothes.

Charlie met the love of his life, Darlene Soine, in White Pine, Mich., in 1988. They were married on June 3, 1989, and spent 30 years together. They loved each other forever and always, were always together and were best friends.

Charlie joined the Army when he was 17 and served six years doing tours of service in Germany and Korea. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. He was also in the Michigan National Guard for 14 years. He started in Baraga, Mich., and later transferred to the Ironwood National Guard, where he made lifelong friends.

He was also employed at White Pine Copper Company for 30 years and said it was the best job he ever had. He retired in 1995 when the mine closed, and went to Gogebic Community College for two years for the automotive class.

Charlie loved the Green Bay Packers and tried to watch every game.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Darlene; daughters Peggy Desellier, of Iron Mountain, Mich., Jodi Vernetti, of Oshkosh, Wis., and Tiffani Stone, of Ontonagon, Mich .; sons Chad and Corey Ellsworth, of Rockland, Mich .; stepchildren Tracy Gehrke, of Watersmeet, Mich., Gina (Jim) White, of West Fargo, N.D., and Jason Gehrke, of Appleton, Wis .; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brothers Clifford Ellsworth, of Superior, Wis., and Robert Ellsworth, of Wausau, Wis .; sisters Jeanette Waller, of Florida, Colleen Dement, of Louisiana, and Joanie (Gary) Raymond, of Merriweather, Mich.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Nicole, granddaughter, Emalee, at birth, brother, Pete, and his father-in-law, Oiva Soine.

Out of respect for Charlie's wishes, cremation has taken place.

The graveside service will be on Friday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. CST at lot 106 at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood. Pastor Dale Harris of Range Community Bible Church of Hurley will officiate, followed by the military service and flag presentation. The Klassic Kruisers Car Club will give Charlie a send-off because of his love for old cars.

Lunch will follow at Range Community Bible Church in Hurley.