Charles Robert Mels

MELS, CHARLES ROBERT, 83. Passed away on April 29, 2025. Beloved husband of 61 years to Eleanore (Cusimano). Loving father of James (Jennifer) and Michelle (John). Proud grandfather of Kyle (Alexzandria), Keri (Jon), and Joseph (Victoria). Dear great-grandfather of Maxwell, Kody, Aubrianna, Kayden and Allie. Proud uncle of Jodi (Gerald) and Gordon (Jannette), and great-uncle of Deirdre (Angel), Rachel, Amanda (Brendan) and Garrison. Preceded in death by his parents, Leona Marie (Montreuil) in 1988 and Charles Jules in 1998, and his loving sister, Odette in 1999. Charles was born in Detroit, Michigan in August of 1941. It started some time ago with parents who loved him, a sister who wouldn’t play with him, and an aunt who would make homemade blueberry pie for him. Charlie Bob lived life to the fullest. He hitchhiked from Roseville to Utica for ice cream, would ride his bike in the I-696 construction zone and chased girls around town with his friends. Bobby’s jokes were too much for the Catholic nuns and he was too smart for public school, so they asked him to leave. It was all fun and games until he saw a pretty Italian girl, named Ellie. It was love at first sight. Bob and Ellie married in November of 1963. They welcomed their son Jimmy followed by their daughter, Michelle. Charlie Bob eventually started working for Ford and then Dupont. Life was better than he imagined. He had everything he could have asked for and more. A wonderful family, a charming home on Hooker Road, motorcycles for him and the kids, traveling up north to their cabin, and playing cards while visiting his parents. Later Bob designed and helped build their house on Masters Road. His kids got married and brought more love into his life. Bob’s best friend and first grandchild, Kyle was born. Bob would have Kyle sitting on his Cushman knowing that his best friend would grow up to love motorcycles himself. His favorite granddaughter, Keri came into the world. Bob was more delicate with her and was full of smiles every time he was around her. Last was baby Joey. Joey was the perfect addition to his favorite people group. Their love for pocketknives and Swiss Army Knives grew together. Bob took turns taking his grandchildren on road trips for Cushman meets in different states. Road trips were never boring. They reached their hands as far on the dash as they could driving over the border to a new state. It was a race to see who entered the state first. Bob would randomly honk and wave in the middle of nowhere and his grandkids would ask, “who are you waving to?” His answer was always “no one” and they would laugh hysterically because they could not believe that they fell for it again. The train was always on time and all the people were dead in every cemetery they drove past. Bob didn’t think he had room left in his heart to love but then came his great-grandchildren. Kody, Aubri, Kayden, Allie Rae, and Baby K (on the way). He also gained a great-grandson Max. Spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought pure happiness to Bob. One of the great-grandchildren’s favorite memories is of Charlie Bob’s tattoo. Bob would bet that he had your name tattooed on his arm. He would win every time with his “your name” tattoo. At every stage of his life, Bob was making new friends. Many of his friends had blue eyes. He went by many names such as Bob, Bobby, Bob-O, Indian, Two Dogs, and my personal favorite Charlie Bob. It doesn’t matter who you were talking to, everyone knew Bob to be the life of the party and the funniest guy around. Charlie Bob has touched the souls of many people. He used to say, “you’ll know when I’m serious.” That didn’t mean he was angry. It often meant the heart to heart he would have with strangers, friends, and family. Charlie Bob will be missed for his humor, unique character and personality. His jokes are not leaving with him. His family will be spreading them like wildflowers. A celebration of life will be held in August of 2025.

Charles Robert Mels

August 21, 1941 - April 29, 2025