Charles Lindke

Charles (Chuck) Robert Lindke of Harrisville, Michigan was born January 2, 1943 in Port Huron, MI.  He was the son of the late Edwin and Katherine Lindke and is the father of Robert Lindke of Fort Worth, Texas, Jeffrey (Erica) Lindke of Mishawaka, Indiana, and step-father of Maria Barns of Atlanta, Georgia.  He was the husband of the late Judith Dodge and the late Helen MacDonald. He is survived by his best friend and loving fiance Susan Beckley of Mikado. He is also survived by his sister, Virginia (Garry) Stolicker of Rochester Hills and his brother, Bruce (Merlene) Lindke of Marysville, and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many many friends.   Growing up in Port Huron, he worked at the Irwin drugstore, delivered the Port Huron Times Herald and drove the St. Clair county library bookmobile.  Chuck liked to fish, hunt small game, and travel. His favorite pastimes were gardening, and campfires at his farm with friends. Chuck joined the United States Air Force after graduating from Port Huron Junior College.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Master’s Degree in logistics from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, Ohio. He served in DaNang, Vietnam, as well as several bases throughout the United States, including Alaska, and also served in Australia.  He retired as an U.S. Air Force Major and later worked on a sheep farm in New Zealand where he often recalled he learned to drive a stagecoach. He liked to make people laugh and maintained many longtime friendships. He moved to Alcona County in 1991 where he was an active member of the Oscoda Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3735 where he was past commander, and was a member of the Mikado American Legion Post #254.   In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts be made to the VFW Post #3735 Veteran’s Relief Fund, 241 Chrysler Drive, Oscoda, MI 48750.   A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. at the VFW Post in Oscoda.  “When I stop smiling, close the lid.” To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Lindke, please visit our flower store.