1927
Ruth
2015
Ruth C. (Huegel) Charlesworth
September 27, 1927 — November 27, 2015
CHARLESWORTH, RUTH C. (HUEGEL)
Age 88
The angels took Ruth to Heaven on November 27, 2015 after a long journey with dementia to be in the loving arms of God and her husband Erwin. Ruth was born on September 27, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Alfred C. and Johanna (Triffo) Huegel Sr. who immigrated from France and Austria respectively. She attended a one room school house through the 8th grade with her future husband before graduating from Monroe High School, Monroe, MI in 1945. She attended University of Michigan for one year on a scholarship and then began working for the Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti. Ruth was married to Erwin H. Charlesworth on June 25, 1949 who preceded her in death on July 18, 2008. They moved to Kalamazoo in 1961 and were devoted to each other for 59 years. She was employed as a department head at Gilmore's before working for James River Corp. (formerly KVP Sutherland and Brown Company) from 1963-1987. She was elected Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1010 United Paperworkers International Union and was active in many union and community activities including serving as Community Services Chairman and was awarded the Walter Campbell Award. She was honored by the Kalamazoo Labor Council as an outstanding citizen. Ruth suffered a severe stroke in 1987 preventing her from further work and from which she had a partial recovery. Ruth enjoyed traveling, jigsaw puzzles, games, movies, coin and stamp collecting, and genealogy. She was skilled at crocheting and sewing, making many of her own clothes. She was an avid bowler for many years winning both individual and team trophies with friends she met at James River; they were a special group who supported her through her stroke recovery. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and previously Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the family is so thankful for the many visits, flowers, cards and prayers provided by members of both congregations throughout the years especially after Erwin passed. Ruth was so proud of her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Surviving are her daughter Cathy (Paul) Mejia of Kalamazoo, son Curtis (Ada) Charlesworth of Fishers, Indiana, two granddaughters Morgan Charlesworth, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Logan Charlesworth, Indianapolis, Indiana, her adored, little brother Alfred (Patricia) Huegel Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her beloved sister Marion Huegel Fischer. The family sends a special thank you to the staff at Heritage Community (Wyndham West, Directors Hall and Upjohn). They provided loving care for many years. And appreciation to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan for ensuring Ruth was comfortable in her final months. Visitation will be Thursday, December 3rd from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St., where the family invites you to join them for a luncheon served during that time. Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, with Pastor Ken Johnson officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. A private entombment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church 504 S. Westnedge Kalamazoo MI 49007, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall Suite 100 Kalamazoo MI 49007, Heritage Community Foundation 2400 Portage Rd Kalamazoo MI 49001, or the charity of your choice.
**CHARITIES**
In lieu of flowers:
Trinity Lutheran Church
504 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-344-6181
www.tlckzoo.com
Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan
222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-345-0273
www.hospiceswmi.org
Heritage Community Foundation
2400 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-276-2046
www.heritagecommunityfoundation.com
Charity of Donor's Choice
3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
504 S. Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49007
Age 88
The angels took Ruth to Heaven on November 27, 2015 after a long journey with dementia to be in the loving arms of God and her husband Erwin. Ruth was born on September 27, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Alfred C. and Johanna (Triffo) Huegel Sr. who immigrated from France and Austria respectively. She attended a one room school house through the 8th grade with her future husband before graduating from Monroe High School, Monroe, MI in 1945. She attended University of Michigan for one year on a scholarship and then began working for the Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti. Ruth was married to Erwin H. Charlesworth on June 25, 1949 who preceded her in death on July 18, 2008. They moved to Kalamazoo in 1961 and were devoted to each other for 59 years. She was employed as a department head at Gilmore's before working for James River Corp. (formerly KVP Sutherland and Brown Company) from 1963-1987. She was elected Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1010 United Paperworkers International Union and was active in many union and community activities including serving as Community Services Chairman and was awarded the Walter Campbell Award. She was honored by the Kalamazoo Labor Council as an outstanding citizen. Ruth suffered a severe stroke in 1987 preventing her from further work and from which she had a partial recovery. Ruth enjoyed traveling, jigsaw puzzles, games, movies, coin and stamp collecting, and genealogy. She was skilled at crocheting and sewing, making many of her own clothes. She was an avid bowler for many years winning both individual and team trophies with friends she met at James River; they were a special group who supported her through her stroke recovery. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and previously Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the family is so thankful for the many visits, flowers, cards and prayers provided by members of both congregations throughout the years especially after Erwin passed. Ruth was so proud of her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Surviving are her daughter Cathy (Paul) Mejia of Kalamazoo, son Curtis (Ada) Charlesworth of Fishers, Indiana, two granddaughters Morgan Charlesworth, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Logan Charlesworth, Indianapolis, Indiana, her adored, little brother Alfred (Patricia) Huegel Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her beloved sister Marion Huegel Fischer. The family sends a special thank you to the staff at Heritage Community (Wyndham West, Directors Hall and Upjohn). They provided loving care for many years. And appreciation to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan for ensuring Ruth was comfortable in her final months. Visitation will be Thursday, December 3rd from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St., where the family invites you to join them for a luncheon served during that time. Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, with Pastor Ken Johnson officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. A private entombment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church 504 S. Westnedge Kalamazoo MI 49007, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall Suite 100 Kalamazoo MI 49007, Heritage Community Foundation 2400 Portage Rd Kalamazoo MI 49001, or the charity of your choice.
**CHARITIES**
In lieu of flowers:
Trinity Lutheran Church
504 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-344-6181
www.tlckzoo.com
Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan
222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-345-0273
www.hospiceswmi.org
Heritage Community Foundation
2400 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-276-2046
www.heritagecommunityfoundation.com
Charity of Donor's Choice
Visitation
DEC 3. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Langeland Family Funeral Homes - Westside Chapel3926 S. 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49009
Service
DEC 4. 11:00 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church504 S. Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49007
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth C. (Huegel) Charlesworth, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Photo Gallery
Visits: 4
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors