TRAVERSE CITY — Charles Walter Harty, 82, a Traverse City native, died following a long illness on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2010, at Tendercare-Birchwood, with his loving family by his side.Born Aug. 3, 1928, in Traverse City, he was the son of the late Samuel R. and Ruth (VanWagner) Harty. On Aug. 28, 1954, at St. Francis Catholic Church, he married the former Barbara Jean Dreves.A proud veteran, Charlie faithfully served his country with the United States Army, during the Korean War. Charlie retired from the United States Postal Service in 1988 after 30 years of dedicated service working as a mail carrier.He was a longtime member of St. Francis Catholic Church, regularly attending 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday afternoon. Charlie enjoyed participating in church activities as well as serving as an usher and an Eucharistic Minister. He was also a great contributor to the Traverse City Knights of Columbus, Council #1213, where he earned his 4th Degree and was honored to serve with the Color Guard. Most recently he was a member of St. Francis Knights of Columbus Council #13958.He was a longtime member of the Eagles Club, enjoyed working puzzles, was an avid reader and a loyal Red Wings fan. He will be fondly remembered for his devotion to his family. Charlie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Jean Harty; children, Janet (Ben) Riskey, Robert Harty and his friends, Lorie and Rudy and Nancy (Charles) Hathaway, all of Traverse City; four grandchildren, Amanda Riskey, Anthony Riskey, Charlie Hathaway and Jennifer Hathaway; three sisters, Helen (Gordon) Wheeler, of Traverse City, Maxine Dempsey, of Suttons Bay, and Phyllis (Russell) Mowen, of Lake Ann; a sister-in-law, Lucy Harty, of Traverse City; along with many nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Harty, who died in infancy; and a brother, Kenneth W. Harty, who died Sept. 21, 2005.Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, with a Scripture Service at 7 p.m.A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church on at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, with the Rev. Fr. Kenneth Stachnik serving as the celebrant.Burial will take place at Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery. In remembrance of Charlie, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan or to Mass Intentions. Envelopes may be obtained at the funeral home.Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.