Charles Henry Wilhelm, Sr.

     Charles Henry Wilhelm, Sr., age 91, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, September 12, 2025, with Kevin VanAtta officiating. Burial will take place at Hamilton Township Cemetery, Ithaca, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
     Charles was born in Ithaca, Michigan on August 4, 1934, the son of Henry Bartholomew and Gladys Lillian (Zimmerman) Wilhelm. On January 22, 1955, he married Marlene Shepard.
      Charles farmed for many years, and worked at Wolverine in Ithaca, Diamond Reo in Lansing, and several other places over the years. They had a booth at the flea market in Sears for fifteen years. Charles could do all most anything, even though he did not have a high education. He loved to travel; he and Marlene spent thirty-nine winters in Texas. Charles liked to hunt, garden, and grow corn for his kids. He also loved country music. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandsons were very dear to his heart.
     He is survived by his wife Marlene Wilhelm; his son Carl and Donna Wilhelm; his daughters: Kathy and Mike Draper, and Karen Wilhelm; ten grandchildren, Chad, Chantel, Deric, Dustin, Nina, Theres, April, Charles III, Alisha, and Hannah, 21 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandsons. Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his son Charles Wilhelm, Jr.
      Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.