Michael J. Charles
April 26, 1954 ~ November 8, 2014
Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer on November 8th, 2014. Mike grew up in North St. Paul and had lived in Forest Lake for the past 26 years. Owner of Mike Charles Contracting J.J. Charles and Sons Excavating. Mike will be deeply missed by his wife of 41 years, Sandra; children, Mike (Wendy), Shannon (Dustin) Williams; six grandchildren, Alyson, Madison, Mason, Sophia, Dustin Jr. and Carolyn; mother, Barb; sister, Connie Humphrey; brothers, James (Julie) Jr., Jerry (Terri), Tony (Culleen); and by many wonderful friends and family. He is preceded in death by his father, James Charles. He can be remembered for his hard-working, honorable spirit; a man who was dedicated to providing for his family. Mike was an outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, riding horses and of course, his Harley Davidson motorcycle. A visitation will begin at 1 PM Friday, November 14th at Eaglebrook Church - White Bear Lake Campus, 2401 Buffalo Street, White Bear Lake with a Celebration of Mikes life beginning at 3 PM.
Sandy and I just discovered that Mike had passed away – we’re so sorry to have missed the visitation to pay our respects to your family.
Mike and Sandy have been our next door neighbors down at our campsite at Hay Creek for a number of years now. We couldn’t have asked for better neighbors and friends. They are sharing, caring and loving people. Mike will be missed by all who knew him. And he will stay in our memories forever. We look forward to seeing Sandy and the rest of his family down at Hay Creek next spring.
Mike, Wendy, Shannon, Dustin and kids, it won’t be the same without Mike around the campfire, but he will be there in spirit. Anything we can do to help, please let us know.
Buck and Dakota are doing well and they say ‘neigh’ – and they’ll see you down at the corral in the spring.
Much Love,
Glenn and Sandy
I heard from Gary Rogers (Hoggie) that I had missed a Benefit for a friend of mine Mike. Hoggie said Mike was living just outside Forest Lake. He had been there. I live in North Branch so with the directions from Hoggie of go West out of town take Right then a Left. Mike lives off the road you can’t see it. It was kinda dark that’s all I know. Well that should be easy Thanks Hoggie. So with my GPS and Hoggies directions I set out. After over 2 hours I found what I thought was Mike’s house. Knowing that neither one of us would look like we use to. I thought I would have some fun. Mike would either have a good laugh or call the Police on me. I knocked Mike answered said can I help you ? I knew it was Mike by the sound of his voice. I just hoped he didn’t recognize mine. I said You got that $ 2.00 you owe me. Mike said in a rough voice I don’t know who you are but I don’t owe you no dam $ 2.00 So I started giving Mike some clues Snowmobiling, Paper Route, Train Trip to Chicago. Finally after 10 to 15 min and Mike getting more aggressive in his voice Mike asked You aren’t Tony Wicklander are you. I looked up and smiled so did Mike. He invited me in and we talked for over an hour. We got caught up in Family and time gone by. Had some laughs about memories growing up. Sandy came home so I also got to see her. I am and always will be GREATFUL we got to spend that time together. I talked to Mike one time after that. He and Sandy were on the road headed south to the cabin for the weekend. To spend some time with family. I told Mike Hoggie said he would have called the police on me. Mike was Happy and Laughing the last time we talked. May only Good Blessings for your Family Mike till you are reunited. I will see ya soon.
Lots of good memories spent with mike, cousins, aunts and uncles throughout the years at the lake . He will be missed. May family find comfort that he is now at peace with no more suffering and one day we will all be with him again . You all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time
If it was not for Mike suggesting that my now husband John take his sister and my friend Connie and to the homecoming dance in Sr.High School I would not have met my partner of 36 years. It was good for me that that date never worked out.
Thank you Mike for a life changing introduction.
Peace be with you all as you mourn Mikes loss.
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. Death is something that humans were never meant to experience, the pain that we experience when we lose a loved one is something that is simply unnatural. Psalms 37:29 says 29 “The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.” God’s original purpose for humankind was to live forever in a paradise earth with no sickness or death. An “abundance of peace” as psalms 37:10 brings out. Though the world we love in is horrible and we experience pain on a daily basis there is some good news, the bible promises something truly amazing at revelation 21:4 it says “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” So death, sickness, pain and every kind of sorrow will be wiped out but what about those who have already died? John 5:28,29 says of those ones “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.” So these ones will be resurrected to an earth filled with peace. For more information on this subject please visit http://www.jw.org and fill out the online request for a free bible study. Here’s the link: https://www.jw.org/en/free-bible-study/
There is good and bad in life. I was lucky to know good through mike. may his soul rest tonight.
Dear Charles Family, We send our condolences and love to you and all our family in Minnesota on the loss of your Son, Husband, Dad, Brother, and Grandpa. Please know that although we are miles away, we have been keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers over these months, and will continue. Mike is at peace and home with all our beloved family who have gone before us.
Love and prayers, Your Boston family, Barbara and John McKenney, our children Amanda and Thomas, my mom, Rose DiNicola, and all of us here.