Charles R. Strouse

June 21, 1933 - March 9, 2022

Charles R. Strouse, age 88 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at the MidMichigan Medical Center of Clare with his family by his side. On June 21, 1933, Charles was born the son of Ray and Hilda (Armentrout) Strouse at their family farm in Clare County’s Sheridan Township. He was united in marriage to Jeannette Coleman on December 31, 1955 in Belding, and together they enjoyed just over 66 wonderful years of marriage. After graduating from Clare High in 1953, Charles worked briefly for Holley Carburetor before attending Lansing Community College—where he received an education in drafting and left as a member of the college’s first ever graduating class. He later took a job as a draftsman with the bridge design team for the State of Michigan Highway Dept., which led to an impressive 33-year career ending with his retirement in 1988. Charles was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also enjoyed wintering in Lakeland, FL. with Jeannette and bowling and throwing horseshoes in his younger years. However, those that knew Charles best, knew of his passion for being active and walking every day, having logged enough miles to “walk around the Earth.” Charles is survived by his wife Jeanette Strouse of Clare and his three children William (Mary Jane) Strouse, Charla Phillips, and Aaron (Leane) Strouse, all of whom reside in Clare. Other survivors include his grandchildren Carol (Tony), Carrie (J.P.), Crista (Ryan), Nichole, Dustin (Kalli), Hannah, Karrah (Calvin), and Baylee (Alex), his great-grandchildren Zach, Jackson, Caleb, Anna, Savannah, Austin, Logan, Penelope, Willow, Paul, and Sven, and his siblings Annabelle VanderVeen of Birch Run, Esther (Bill) Randle of Clare, Leonard Strouse of Clare, and Marleen (Ron) Root of Clermont, FL. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Matthew Phillips, his great-granddaughter Sydney Ackerman, and his son-in-law Paul Phillips. A funeral service in honor of Charles will take place on Monday, March 14, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Clare at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Scott Hayes officiating. Burial will follow in the Cherry Grove Cemetery of Clare. Friends may visit with the Strouse family at the Baptist Church on Sunday, March 13th from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and again from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Memorial Contributions in honor of Charles may be directed toward the Gideon's International or to the Saginaw City Rescue Mission. For those unable to attend services, online condolences may be shared at www.stephenson-wyman.com