Charles "Chuck" John Conlen Jr., age 91, of Waterford, passed away February 10, 2024. He was born on December 1, 1932, in Clifford, Michigan to the late Elsie (nee Voelker) and Charles Conlen Sr. Loving husband of 65 years to Ruth (nee Donahue); father to Cheryl Conlen, the late Craig Conlen, and Chuck (Misiel) Conlen; grandfather to Ryan (Jennifer) Kidwell, Riley Conlen, and Manelle Conlen; great grandfather to Daniel Kidwell, Shawn Kidwell, Emily Kidwell, and Kylie Kidwell; and very dear friend to Tracy (Patti) McBride. He is preceded in death by siblings, Winifred "Peg" and Forest. Chuck proudly retired from the Navy after 20 years having served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, was a member of Admiral Richard Byrd's Operation Deep Freeze in the Antarctic, and a team member of the Navy's national pistol marksman team. Chuck later worked as a Metrologist with General Motors for 30 years. Chuck served as a reserve police officer for the City of Pontiac, was a member of the Governor's Top 20 pistol marksmen, and was a lifelong member of the 32nd Degree Masons and proud member of the Shriners. Chuck enjoyed spending time with the Honda "Gold Wings" Motorcycle club, making his own barbecue sauce for his famous spareribs, enjoying a good cigar, and loved watching his grandkids play sports. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 12 p.m. at Coats Funeral Home-Waterford. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Shriners Hospital for Children
Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta GA 30394
Web: https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=shrinerschildrens&utm