Ira Charles Madden

Ira Charles (Chuck) Madden passed away on February 22, 2025, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. He is survived by his children, Anne Madden (Dana Morse) of Berkeley, CA, and Al Madden of Sacramento, CA; his sister, Gloria Carlson (Stephen) of Shell Lake, WI; and two nieces and a nephew. His beloved wife of 64 years, Susan Theal Madden, preceded him in death in 2024.

Chuck was born on August 31, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ira C. and Emma G. Madden. He attended Albion College and graduated from the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. After serving in the Army, he practiced dentistry in Kalamazoo, where he met and married Susan Theal. Upon retiring from his dental practice in Edwardsburg, MI, Chuck and Susan returned to Kalamazoo.

Chuck cared deeply for his community, loved the outdoors, and was passionate about craftsmanship. Throughout his life, he was driven by care and compassion for friends, family, students, patients, and strangers alike.

He supported the community as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He also served on the Edwardsburg school board for six years and was a member and president of the Cass County school board for ten years.

Chuck enjoyed basketball, tennis, gardening, reading, current events, and traveling. Despite the impact of vision loss on many of his favorite activities, he continued to help students at the Edison School improve their reading.

Growing up in a creative family, Chuck was a craftsman his entire life. He gladly shared his woodworking, metal smithing, and bread baking expertise with his friends and family.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Red Cross, Edison Academy Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church, the Veterans Administration Low Vision Clinic, or a charity of your choice.

The Madden family would like to sincerely thank the Veterans Administration, the First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo, and dear friends from Friendship Village for their support and concern.

A memorial service will be held in the future, with details to be announced.