Charlotte A. Wanless, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2022. Charlotte was born to the union of James and Ruth (Yonker) Gillespie on November 18, 1937. Growing up, Charlotte attended Handy High School, where she met her husband of 59 years, Ronald Wanless, whom she married on November 8, 1958. They went on to have seven children, whom she took great pride in raising throughout the years. Along with her husband, Charlotte owned and operated local businesses, including Standish Sporting Goods and Northern Oil and Gas. However, her greatest joy was opening The Pumpkin Farm in 1991. She found great happiness in greeting all of the children and their families every year. Charlotte was a very selfless and giving person who always put her family first. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved spending time with them.
Charlotte is survived by her children Carol (David) Wright, David (Lisa) Wanless, Ronald James (Jeanne) Wanless, Mike (Bridget) Wanless, Cathy (Todd) Switala, Jennifer (Jeff) Goodman and Andrew (Kristy) Wanless, seventeen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are siblings James (Lou) Gillespie, John (Sandy) Gillespie, Robert Gillespie and sisters-in-law Shirley Gillespie, Coreen Gillespie and Bonnie Gillespie. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Carl Gillespie, Ray Gillespie and Paul Gillespie, sister Gloria Misiak, brother-in-law Richard Misiak, sister-in-law Marge Gillespie, and great grandchild Henry Sesler. Charlotte will also be dearly missed by sisters-in-law Bev, Kathy, Susan, Patti, and Dolores, who were very special to her.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Lee Ramsay Funeral Home-STANDISH CHAPEL, Standish, Michigan with Rev. Steven Karp officiating. Interment will follow in Pine River Cemetery. The family will greet family and friends Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 3:00 pm till 8:00 pm at the Lee Ramsay Funeral Home-Standish Chapel and from 9:00 am till time of service at 11:00 am on Monday, December 19, 2022.
