Charles E. DeCraene Sr.,  84, of Belding, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday July 7, 2021, at home. He was born February 7, 1937, in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Carl and Irene (Taets) DeCraene. He graduated from  John Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana. After graduation, Charles joined the United States Air Force. He served as an air freight specialist from 1958-1978 until he moved to Belding to raise his family. He married Marjorie C. Myers on June 23, 1962. Charles enjoyed fishing and playing pool. Later in life, he enjoyed visiting with his friends at the Belding VFW. Charles has left behind two daughters and two sons; Lynda (Denny) DeCraene, of South Carolina; Vicky (Glyn) Sharplin, of Pensacola, FL; Charles Jr. (Debra) DeCraene and Christopher (Sarah) DeCraene, both of Belding. Along with his children, he leaves twenty grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, his siblings: Bob (Pam) DeCraene of Cape Coral, FL. Jim and Gerry DeCraene of Niles, MI. Ed and Judy DeCraene of South Bend, IN. Melanie Galbreath of Edwardsburg, MI, and Michele and Joe Bleich of South Bend, IN. Charles was mournfully preceded in death by his parents, wife Marjorie (1994), daughter Hope (1993), and a great granddaughter (2009).

Private family graveside services will take place at Ashely cemetery in Grattan township. Memorials may be given to The American Diabetes Association; envelopes will be available at Johnson Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding, where funeral services have been entrusted. To share a message of condolence, order flowers, or light a candle in memory of Charles, please visit the website of the funeral home at www.jffh.com.

08/09/2021 JFC