Charles "Charlie" Elzinga

Charles Albert Elzinga, age 94, of Charlevoix, MI, joined his dear friends and family in heaven on Sunday, June 8, 2025. He was a devoted family man best known for his winning smile, boisterous laughter, and genuine interest in others. He met people with ease, listened intently to their life stories, the details about their family and hobbies, and what is more, he remembered them. Children and puppies were the joy of his life, and he never walked down a street without stopping to speak to a child or admire a dog. These qualities made him a successful businessman and trusted leader in the Charlevoix community, where he served on the local school board, church boards, and was a member of multiple community-service organizations. And that endearing personality remained unchanged, even when challenged by memory loss, until he breathed his last.

Charlie was born during the Great Depression into a large, blended family. His twice-widowed father (Harry) married a young, abandoned mother (Esther) and they had three boys of their own: Harrison, Gerrit, and Charlie. Like many depression and World War II families, tough times forced them to move repeatedly to find work, but it also forged in them the conviction that faith, hard work, and perseverance would eventually win the day. Charlie and his brothers embodied that unsinkable spirit. Emboldened by youth and seeking adventure, Charlie left high school to enlist in the army and served as a staff sergeant in Germany following the war.

Charlie returned a brash, young man brimming with the confidence that he was smart enough to learn any job and had enough energy to break through any obstacle. He plied all his skills and vim to woo a pretty, young waitress (Bonnie Drost) who at first turned away his ardor but finally succumbed to his charms to become his beloved wife for nearly seventy years.

Although Charlie left farm life for the armed services, his fondness for cattle, working the land with tractors, and all the fresh air associated with country living never left him. He worked in several factories—the longest was at American Mold—but deep within his soul lay a farmer. He dreamed about farms, his closest friends were farmers, and he enjoyed nothing more than getting up early to watch sunlight awaken the land. In the 1960s, he and Bonnie bought an old farm on Barnard Rd, where he could at least partially return to his farming roots. He still worked in a factory, but he milked a couple of cows, raised some beef and a few chickens, and kept some ponies for his three children. He even worked up a large patch of ground so Bonnie could garden, and for a time, he came close to living his dream.

Soon afterwards, Dawson Way encouraged Charlie to become a Farm Bureau Insurance agent and for a few years, he balanced full-time factory work, coming home to farm chores, and selling insurance on the side. However, to become a successful businessman, Charlie had to sell the farm, move back into town, and open an office. This he did, and business success followed. Awarded for his sales and service, Charlie and Bonnie earned many overseas trips, including those to Ireland, the Netherlands, Hawaii, Mexico, and Caribbean cruises. In his own way, this small-town, farm boy with only a tenth-grade education—a GED earned in the Army—saw beyond this country’s shores and garnered success beyond his dreams. Much of this resulted from an abiding faith supported through a close church community and strong family ties. These bonds helped strengthen Charlie’s ability to connect with people and he earned their respect.

Clients respected Charlie for his wisdom and integrity. In a profession not always regarded for honesty, they admired him for not trying to sell something to a person who did not need or could not afford it, while at the same time, making sure that a family was well protected. Put simply, he earned people’s trust, and he tried his best to keep it. He cared for and remembered them; in turn, they turned to him for advice.

Charlie’s business success allowed him to move to a small, 40-acre farm overlooking Lake Marion, where he could resume hobby-farming, raising registered Angus cattle. After retiring from Farm Bureau Insurance (33 years), he continued his dream of farming and restoring antique John Deere tractors at Whispering Acres until he was no longer able.

Years may have mellowed that brash, young soldier returning from duty, but that sparkle and deep interest in people lasted until his death.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; his parents, Harry and Esther Elzinga; two full brothers, Harrison and Gerrit; and 12 half-siblings. He is survived by his three children, Chuck (Sharon) Elzinga, Carol (Paul) Karnitz, and David (Dawn) Elzinga; six grandchildren, Jordan (Rebecca) Elzinga, Amber Karnitz, Heidi Karnitz, Adam Elzinga, Hope (Justin) Smith, and David C. (Adrianna) Elzinga; and seven great-grandchildren.

Charlie’s celebration is at 3 pm Sunday June 29, at the Center Point Assembly of God Church, 5291 M66 Hwy, Charlevoix, MI. The church is open at 2 pm so you can visit with the family before the celebration and during light refreshments served afterwards. Charlie will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Maple Hill Cemetery, Clarion, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Freedom House Ministries, 6429 M66 N, Charlevoix, MI 49720.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com