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Charles ‘Charlie’ Edward

MASS CITY — Charles “Charlie” Edward Pitts, 82, of Mass City passed away on May 6, 2021, at Canal View ~ Houghton County, with family by his side.

Charlie was born in Clifton, Tennessee on November 21, 1938, to Lee and Irene (Richardson) Pitts.

In March of 1956, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served for six years.

On September 19, 1961, he married May Anderson in Howell, Michigan, where they lived for 15 years and had two daughters, Christina and Kathy.

Charlie worked for the Ford Motor Company as an assembly line worker after an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1962. After retiring from Ford in 1976, Charlie and May decided to move to the U.P. where they made a home on Mud Creek Road in Mass City. Sadly, May preceded Charlie in death, in February of 1986.

In March of 2001, Charlie remarried Shirley Ahola, also of Mud Creek Road in Mass City.

Charlie loved to spend time at the Finn-Billy Lodge that he had built with family and friends. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, hunting and socializing with family and friends.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Christina (Brian) Mayworm and Kathy (Jimmy Collins) Sleep; step-children, Dean Ahola, Mark Ahola and Chris (Greg) Ahola; siblings, Jo (Jonas) Bishop, Mike Pitts, and Cindy (Randy) Lynn; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Donald) Currence and Carol Fredenburg; grandchildren, Lisa (Collins York) Trudeau, Laurie (Dan) Kuehne, Dustin (Jenna) Armbruster, Heather (Steve) Alatalo and Jennifer Sleep; nine great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charlie is preceeded in death by his parents, Lee and Irene; his first wife, May; brothers, Max and Robert Pitts.

A private burial will be held followed by a celebration of Charlie’s life at Charlie and Shirley’s home on Mud Creek Road in Mass City on June 19, 2021. Details to follow.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Canal View~Houghton County for the excellent care and compassion given to Charlie over the last three years.

In remembrance of Charlie’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.