Charles Hebden

Charles “Chuck” Hebden, 88 of Bellaire, died peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility.  He was born on May 30, 1935, in Echo Township, Michigan, the son of William and Clara (Weisler) Hebden.

On March 29, 1958, in Bellaire, Chuck married Sally (Molby) Hebden, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his children Lori (Bob) Smalley, Tom (Linda Paullin) Hebden and Tim Hebden, his grandchildren Erik (Katie) Smalley, Heidi Smalley, Brad (Stefanie) Hebden, Travis (Colleen) Hebden, Jennifer Hebden, Chris (Kassidy) Hebden, Ellie Hebden and Katherine Hebden.  Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Jacob Smalley and Carter Hebden, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kathleen Aenis, and his brothers, Edward Hebden and Richard “Sy” Hebden.

Chuck graduated from Central Lake High School in 1953 and began working several jobs, including the local railroad.  His baseball spikes from pitching in Pleasant Valley doubled as his pole climbing spikes for the railroad.  In the year of his marriage in 1958, Chuck began a 30-plus year career at Lamina Bronze in Bellaire.  His knowledge, work ethic, and tremendous patience made him very popular with co-workers, many of whom became his close friends.

Chuck loved Sally and his family very much.  He was a tremendous husband, father, and grandfather.  He and Sally enjoyed their summers with family and friends on Intermediate Lake and winters in Pensacola and Gulf Shores. 

He also had a great love for sports, including most of the team sports plus golfing, hunting, fishing, and bowling.  Chuck displayed some of his greatest patience while following the Detroit (“This is going to be their year”) Tigers and teaching his children and grandchildren a new skill.  He and Sally loved nothing more than watching their children play sports for Bellaire High School, and later attending many of their grandchildren’s games.  Chuck will always be remembered as the grandpa who taught his grandkids how to drive a stick shift, who took them to the farm to pick peaches, who taught them to fish (and how to cook the fish they caught), and who spent countless hours throwing batting practice. 

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 16^th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of the Mortensen Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be Wednesday, April 17^th at the Bellaire United Methodist Church beginning at 11:00am, with a luncheon in the church immediately following the service.    

Memorial contributions can be given to the Antrim County Commission on Aging, PO BOX 614, Bellaire, MI 49615, the Bellaire Community Food Pantry, or the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church, PO BOX 235, Bellaire, MI 49615.

 Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.