Obituary of Marilyn Marie Charter
Marilyn Marie Spaulding was born at the family farm on March 3, 1940, in Dundee, Michigan. She was one of five children born from the union of Russell Leroy Spaulding Sr. and Pearl Adeline (Stahl) Spaulding. Very small at birth, her mother often told stories of how Marilyn was placed in a cigar box and set on the oven door to keep her warm. At a young age, her family gave her the nickname “Tuttie”, and she would carry this name throughout her life, and later would even be called “Aunt Tut”.
After graduating from Dundee High School with the Class of 1958, Marilyn would take employment in the office for many years at Tecumseh Products, Inc. and later Ypsilanti Regional Hospital. In the early 1980’s, she began driving school bus for Dundee Community Schools. Marilyn truly loved this position and would spend twenty years in this capacity before retiring in 2002.
On July 11, 1964, Marilyn wed the love of her life, Ronald H. Charter at the First Presbyterian Church in Dundee. They built their home in Dundee on land given to them by Marilyn’s father. The couple was blessed to have spent their entire married life in that very home where they raised a family of four children. They would share fifty-three years of marital bliss until Ron’s passing in 2018.
Marilyn was an excellent baker and always had homemade pies, cookies, and cakes on hand as a welcomed and delicious treat for visiting guests. She also enjoyed quilting and sewing and made beautiful receiving blankets that she would gift to any new mother she met. Marilyn loved to be outdoors during the summer months. She happily and passionately spent all day from sun-up to sun-down, planting and manicuring her beautiful yard and flower gardens.
Marilyn Marie Charter, age 81, of Dundee, passed away at 2:52pm on Friday; December 10, 2021, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor where she was surrounded by her loving family. Her passing was preceded by both of her parents; her husband: Ronald; three brothers: David Spaulding, Russell Spaulding, Jr., John Spaulding; and one half-sister: Marlene McCassling.
To cherish her memory, she leaves four children: Michael Charter of Potterville, Michigan, James (Milissa) Charter of Toledo, Ohio, Ronald L. (Paula) Charter of Dundee, Michigan, and Jane (Garry) Gents of Blissfield, Michigan; six grandchildren: Ronald L. (Rachel) Charter, II, Kenneth (Hunter) Charter, Colin Nolan-Charter, Megan (Dakota) Stricklen, Austin Charter and Adrianna Charter; two great grandchildren: Avery Charter and Raegan Charter; one sister: Mary Tennyson; two half-sisters: Marla Phillips and Marcia Letterman as well as many nieces and nephews.
In honoring Marilyn’s wishes, there will be no public funeral services. Her care was entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156, and cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
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