David “Chuck” Kiel, 76, of Plainwell, Michigan passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017 at his home.
Chuck was born on June 26, 1941 in Kalamazoo to David and Gretchen (Bennett) Kiel. Chuck proudly served his country in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. On October 7, 1961 he married Judy Westfield in Otsego. He retired in 1993 after 25 years as a body shop manager. Chuck’s wonderful sense of humor never waned, even during his illness. He was a great storyteller with a contagious laugh. He looked forward to visiting with friends, playing cards, and enjoyed trips to the casino with his buddies. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was dedicated to his family and proud of their accomplishments. Chuck was a coach and avid fan and supporter of Otsego and Plainwell High School athletics. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports. His love for his grandchildren extended his life and he inspired them to never give up.
Survivors include his loving wife Judy, children David “Fred” (Debbie) Kiel of Plainwell, Timothy C (Dana) Kiel of Kalamazoo and Angela K (Mike) Galovan of Plainwell; 6 grandchildren Mitchell, Nick, Olivia, David, Alex and Julia; sisters, Victoria “Sis” (Bill) Johnston, Mary Whittaker and Alison (Tony) Johnson and his brother Lauren “Skip” Kiel.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Otsego United Methodist Church with the Reverend Joe Shaler officiating. Military honors will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 pm on Sunday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
Memorials may be made to
Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn Street, Allegan, Michigan 49010
or the Otsego United Methodist Church, 223 East Allegan Street, Otsego, Michigan 49078.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of David “Chuck” Kiel
Condolence Messages
D.Roger Mason
August 4, 2017 at 6:25 pm
Judy , I so sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace.
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Sue Lindsey
August 4, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Judy and family……So saddened to hear of Chuck’s passing. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Merl always loved his visits with Chuck while fixing an appliance for you !! They will probably be up in heaven telling each other some “good old stories” !! Keep your memories close, Judy…and always know you are in my thoughts and prayers. God has taken another wonderful angel home…..Much love….
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Gene & Judy Laws
August 4, 2017 at 7:53 pm
This week God called a great guy home, but Chuck left his family with so many great memories. Our prayers are with you, Judy, and your family.
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Sandra Massingill
August 4, 2017 at 8:46 pm
Dear Judy, you were the most marvelous caretaker ever. Many prayers to you and the family.
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Jayne Stamurs
August 4, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Judy and family, I am so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. My deepest condolences to you and your family. May God surround you with His love and comfort you with His peace.
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Josephine (Josi) Pape
August 4, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Judy, I’m so very sorry to hear about Chuck’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God give you strength and peace during this difficult time.
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Terri Cronen Calkins
August 4, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Judy, Fred, Tim, and Angie: I am deeply saddened and sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man! My thoughts and prayers to you. Lots of memories and wonderful stories from over the years. I am leaving town for work Sunday but, will be thinking of you all. He is smiling with Angels now.
May you find peace in knowing how much he was loved by all.
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Nina Kiel-Okuly
August 5, 2017 at 12:15 am
So sorry to hear of your loss. I hope your wonderful memories will bring you comfort at this difficult time! See you on Monday. Love Nina
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Cory and Aimee Hess
August 5, 2017 at 1:22 am
To you and your family Fred,
We wish to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family
during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you for the coming
weeks and into the year ahead.
Cory and Aimee Hess
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Iannette Lopez (Richards)
August 5, 2017 at 1:26 am
Judy and kids. I am so so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. He was such a good man. Always enjoyed being around him. He was such a good friend to my mom and dad. Have fond memories of him when we lived next door to you guys. Did alot of things on some weekends with my mom and dad. Like when you guys would go snow mobiling. R. I. P. Chuck you eill be missed.
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Brian Arehart
August 5, 2017 at 6:23 am
Freddie,
Sorry to see of your dads passing.
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Russ Councell
August 5, 2017 at 7:41 am
Judy sorry about Chuck’s passing
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Steve slater
August 5, 2017 at 11:58 am
Condolences to you and your family Tim. It’s been a lotta years but I remember your dad as a very kind man. So sorry to hear of his passing.
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Cathy Boysen
August 5, 2017 at 12:07 pm
David, Deb and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad and Grandpa. May God wrap his arms around you all tightly, and always remember those beautiful memories to hold close to your hearts.
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Lynn & Duane Bronkema
August 5, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Judy and Family
Sorry for the loss of Chuck. He was always the friendliness, funniest and happyest guy we’ve ever been around. We had the best of fun days in our younger days with Chuck. I will miss him as well as a lot of other friends and family. God Bless you too for all the greatCaregiver
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Lynn & Duane Bronkema
August 5, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Judy — Sorry, this is an add on with the share thoughts- ( I hit send before I was done.)
Anyway, God Bless you too for thr Great Caregiver that you did for Chuck. May He Rest in Peace. Prayer and Peace for you and your Family !
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Kay knitter
August 5, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Judy, we are so sorry to hear about Chuck’s passing. May God have mercy on his soul. With sympathy & prayer, Bob & Kay Knitter
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Mrs. Jim Hewitt (Patti)
August 5, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Dear Judy & family, I can relate to the loss of your husband. A very painful time, one feels as though you are looking out at the world around you thru a veil of tears. Be gentle with yourself. From what I recall hearing over the years, you were an outstanding and loving caregiver. Am sure your love and devotion kept Chuck going. The greatest gift now is a memory shared of a life remembered. A name spoken, reminders that Chuck is not forgotten. Prayers and hugs go out to you at this difficult time.
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Betty Kose Knaus
August 5, 2017 at 6:26 pm
I was a classmate of Chuck’s at Culver High School.I’m so blest to have seen him at the 45th and 50th class reunions.He always asked me if I still liked Old Spice after shave…I really didn’t understand the joke. I felt so compassionate when I saw Chuck in his wheelchair–now I have been a paraplegic in a wheelchair for six years…we never know the plans God has for us.Judy,I have heard of your devotion to Chuck and what a wonderful person you must be. Skip,you were always there for your brother;we all noticed how devoted you were, too. God brought you to this and He’ll help you through this.With special memories of my classmate Chuck,Betty Kose Knaus
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Patricia Wilcox
August 5, 2017 at 11:39 pm
I am so sorry for the loss of this special person in your life. I know this is such a difficult time. Praying for all of you, that you will find peace, comfort, and understanding in the days ahead. May you be surrounded by God’s Love and filled with His strength!
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SANDY AND DAVE HOLLAND
August 6, 2017 at 10:52 am
DEAR FAMILY, SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS, WE WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. GOD BLESS YOU
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Emily A. King
August 6, 2017 at 11:14 am
Judy and Family, I was a high school classmate with Chuck and I will always remember him as such a kind, personable, fun-loving person.
Although, Judy, we have never met, over the years I have heard so many praises of you and your dedication to Chuck. And Skip, your brotherly love came through loud and clear when you brought Chuck to our 45th and again our 50th high school reunions. It is evident that Chuck was surrounded by love from his family and friends. What a blessing for him as well as for all of you! Having had a sister who was one of many people from Culver that have been stricken with MS, I know a bit of what you and he have been through. Chuck handled this bravely and with dignity. I’m sure he has left you many happy, delightful memories. When tears and sadness pop up at unexpected moments, I hope the good times will rush in and carry you through. Thinking of you with love, Emily Allen King.
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Jerry and Judy Shumaker
August 6, 2017 at 11:26 am
Judy and Family. We were so very sorry to hear of your loss of Chuck. He was a great guy and lots of fun. We knew him in High School, of course, but I remember him more in the more recent years when he would ride his motorized chair to the back gate of the Varsity home Football games at Plainwell. I have worked back there for many years and always looked forward to seeing Chuck pull up in his motorized cart. He would ride there from his home on it and was a very dedicated supporter and was always friendly and upbeat to everyone even though he had his problems getting around. Plainwell was very lucky to have such a nice and supportive fan ! ! ! Awww.
Please know that we are sending you our most sincere thoughts and sympathy and hoping that your special memories will help guide you through your grief. He was a very lucky guy to have such a supportive and caring family to take care of him all these years. Bless his heart and yours. I know some of your grandkids who have come through my lunch line at PHS and I want them to know that I am thinking of them as well. Thank you and hang in there. Sending lots of hugs your way,
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Roger & Linda Rumble
August 6, 2017 at 11:43 am
Judy and family – so sorry to learn of Chuck’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time.
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Carol Gates
August 6, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Judy. I was so sorry to hear that Chuck had passed. My thought’s and prayer’s are with you and the family. Love, Carol
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Marla Augustine
August 6, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Sorry for your loss. My Mom , Willowdeene (Hornaday) Daube was Gretchens cousin. I remember many visits as a youngster to MI to visit and their family visiting us. I spent a few weeks one summer with Great Aunt Mary in Otsego and Mary Kiel and I had fun at the tastee freeze and the lake. Prayers are with you. Ron and Marla Augustine
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Marla Augustine
August 6, 2017 at 2:42 pm
Prayers
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Dave Despite Young
August 6, 2017 at 3:17 pm
I’ll always remember Chuck as a fun, life loving guy, with a great smile and a kind word for everyone. May he rest in peace. My prayers to Judy and the family.
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Terrie Gammons
August 6, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Dear Judy, my heart aches for you and your family . Chuck was a wonderful man and I am so blessed to have known him . I will miss his smile and his sense of humor and the talks we would have when I visited . May your memories comfort you and the love of your family sustain you during this difficult time . Love , Terrie
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Bryan and Lori Winn
August 7, 2017 at 6:26 am
We are sorry for your loss. Our payers are with you at this difficult time.
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Terri (Kiel) Fairchild
August 8, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Although I have not seen Uncle Chuck for many years, I will always remember him as a kind, caring, and funny man. He touched so many lives and was an inspiration to all. I know he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
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Heather, PCA, EMCU, BMH
August 11, 2017 at 8:19 am
Judy and family,
I am so very sorry to read of Chuck’s passing. We always loved having him and his wonderful sense of humor on the unit. He was by far one of my most favorite people!! Judy, you were and amazing wife and caregiver! I am heart broken that he has passed, but I know he is in a much better place now and not suffering any longer. Thinking of you all at this difficult time, and sending strength your way .
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Diane Smith (Jameson)
April 12, 2018 at 10:35 pm
I was taking a stroll through the Obituaries as I am always curious to see if I am familiar with any of them. I apologize if this in any way has offended any of you (Judy, David & Debbie , Tim & Dana and Angela & Mike.
As I scrolled upon your Husband, Judy… and your Dad, Fred(die),Tim and Angela,…. I must tell you my Heart Sunk in thought of the heartache that you all must have endured at first sight of losing this (((Great))) man in your lives, and now….still the absence of knowing his breath is no longer upon you. I am sincerely sorry for your loss and I want you all to know my heart feels with you. I wish you all to always hold good memories. Sending my prayers………God Bless
Diane
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