Charles Harry Doe

Traverse City - Charles Harry "Charlie" Doe of Traverse City died Tuesday, July 01, 2014, just short of his 92nd birthday, at Tendercare of Traverse City.

Charlie was born on Friday, July 28, 1922 to the late Harry and Charlotte (Fisher) Doe in Omena. He married Marianne Garland Lyon (and her three young sons) at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Traverse City in 1954. He and Marianne added a fourth son to the family in 1955. Marianne preceded Charlie in death in 2001.

Prior to his retirement, Charlie had been the transportation director for the Traverse City Area Public Schools Bus Garage. As such, he became well known throughout the Grand Traverse region for his daily radio appearance during which he would announce which roads and school bus routes would be closed because of bad weather.

Charlie was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and of the Old Mission American Legion. In his younger years, he was an avid traveler and fisherman. Card playing was a life-long passion and he was quietly proud of having had two perfect hands in cribbage, one of them just recently. He lived on the Old Mission Peninsula for over 60 years, enjoying his backyard pond and waterfall. He was locally famous for the large sign in his front yard on which he would post quotes and quips for all to see as they drove by, and for the American flag, which he proudly displayed year-round.

Charlie is survived by his sons, Greg (Kathy Duffy) Lyon of San Francisco; Steve (Nanci Leo) Lyon of Frankenmuth; Charles F. (Sue Taylor) Doe of Traverse City; a daughter in law, Linda (Ted) Szczepanski of Cheboygan; a sister, Avis Wolfe of Northport; his dear companion of the last several years, Louise Kane of Traverse City; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Charlie was preceded in death by his son, Jeff Lyon (d. 2006).

Visitation for Charlie will take place from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday, July 7 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 8 at St. Francis Catholic Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation, The Old Mission American Legion or to St. Francis Catholic Church. Please share your favorite memory of Charlie with his family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . And please enjoy a boat ride on the Bay, play a round of cards with friends or eat a piece of cherry pie in the backyard in Charlie's memory.

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.