Charles R Keyes
1940-2024
St. Helen, Michigan
Charles passed away January 21, 2024, at McLaren Health Center in Mt. Pleasant. He was born on January 1, 1940, in Gilford, Michigan, son of the late Myron and Sylvia (Johnson) Keyes.
Charles attended Fairgrove High School where he met Joyce Nickel. They were married on September 27, 1958. Joyce preceded him in death on January 20, 2024. In the early years, Charles built several homes in the Vassar & Reese area and worked at Saginaw Steering Gear-plant 6. In 1980, Charles & Joyce opened Keyes Market which they owned and operated with family for 35 years.
Charles had a love for fishing, hunting, boating, and snowmobiling that he passed down to his family. In his later years, he enjoyed living in his favorite place-up north in the woods and was a true “Michigan Man.” He also enjoyed watching football and baseball games.
He is survived by his children, Cheri (Bernie) Bauer of Reese, Jeff (Michelle) Keyes of Grand Rapids; Gary (Jodie) Keyes of Saginaw; eight grandchildren, Melissa Bauer of Birch Run, Josh(Diana) Bauer of Rayne, LA, Angela (Dean) Haan of Spring Lake, Matt Bauer of Reese, Amber Keyes of Ann Arbor, Jody (Will) Sage of Munger, Shelby (Fiancé Jacob Worth) Keyes of Saginaw, Henry Keyes of Saginaw; eight great grandchildren, Lauren Bauer, Aaron Bowers, William Sage, Thomas Sage, Walter Bauer, Andrew Sage, Marion Bauer, James Sage; brother Fred Keyes, brother-in-law Jerry (Sue) Nickel, sister-in-law Jean Nickel and nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife of 65 years, Joyce, and his parents, Charles we preceded in death by two infant children, Linda and Larry Keyes, sister and brother-in-law Charlotte and Hank Haske, sister-in-law Marlene Keyes, brother-in-law Arnie Nickel, brother-in-law and sister -in- law Norm and Liz Nickel, parents-in-law, Henry and Myrtle (Krause) Nickel.
The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for their care of Charles during his remaining months.
Cremation has taken place, and a burial service will take place at a later date.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Christ Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.
