Charles F. Block

BLOCK, Charles F.
Kalamazoo "Entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise... ", Charles Franklin Block was released from his earthly body and ushered into the presence of his dear Lord and Savior on Wednesday noon, October 28, 2009. Chuck was born to George and Elizabeth Block on October 9, 1935, in Kalamazoo, MI. After graduating from Kalamazoo Christian High School he served in the United States Army. When he returned from the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Ann Lois Dykema in 1957. Chuck started the Wolverine Lawn Services Company working side by side with his sons Tom and Dan and retired in 1998. A long time active member of Second Christian Reformed Church, Charlie served as Sunday School Teacher, deacon and elder and cherished his church family. Charlie was an active father, who loved the outdoors and having fun with his big, boisterous family. Chuck and Loie worked hard to send their children to the Kalamazoo Christian Schools and spent many years supporting their children and volunteering in the school system. He was very proud of his children and always thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren. In the later years of his life, he suffered great pain, many surgeries and hospital visits, but he always expressed gratitude for God's goodness with no complaints. He loved his Lord, his wife Loie, his family, his church family and long time friends. He was a great father and husband who was truly loved by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Elizabeth Block, his older brother, Marvin, an infant son and his in-laws, Al and Marie Dykema. Survivors include his dear wife, Loie; children, Sheri Don Klooster, Tom Amy Block, Dan Karen Block, Julie Rick Ahlberg and Kim Mike Dunlap; grandchildren, Matthew Andrea, Benjamin and Elizabeth Klooster, Kayleigh, Lauren, Marquette, Savannah, Brooklyn and Mackinney Block, Erica and Derek Block, Mandy Tim Johnson, Tori Ahlberg and fiancé Katie VanDonselaar, Jon Bontekoe, Alison, Jared and Katie Dunlap; one great grand son, Matthew John Klooster, Jr.; brothers, Roger Block, Harold Pat Block, Wayne Alarika Block and George Carol Block; a sister, Pearl Jim Brouwer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Henry and Clarine Visser and Larry and Gladys Shoemaker; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM in the Second Christian Reformed Church, 3015 Nichols Rd. with Rev. Dr. Warren Lammers officiating. Interment will take place in West Cooper Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Home, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. on Friday from 1-4 and 6-9 PM. Memorial donations may be directed to the Kalamazoo Christian School Association or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508