Charles (Chuck) Russell DeClarke passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025. He was born on March 11, 1955, to the late Russell and Dolores DeClarke in Detroit, Michigan.
Chuck grew up with his sister Joan in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It was there that his love for music began. His parents purchased his first snare drum from Peralta Music Store, and his drum lessons began. Chuck's lifelong passion for music led to a professional career working for Marshall Music Company in Lansing, Michigan, as a school service manager for 34 years, and playing in a variety of entertainment bands. He began with the band "Passage" while still in high school and with the band "Ketch" in the late 70s and early 80s.
The DeClarke family often vacationed in Traverse City and eventually moved there in November 1968. Chuck graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1973. He then attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 1979.
Chuck met the love of his life, Janet Lea Ansorge, while he and his band were playing at the Park Place Hotel. They married on August 11, 1982, at All Faiths Chapel with Father Fred presiding. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Chuck, born in 1990, and Mike, four years later. He had a great love for his family, which also includes three grandchildren, Laine, Case, and Declan.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Dolores DeClarke, brother-in-law Christoper Ansorge, sister-in-law Cyndi Ansorge, and sister-in-law Cindy(Ansorge) Retherford.
Although Chuck was not healed from illness in his earthly life, he remained steadfast in his Catholic faith. He knew and believed there would be fullness of life in heaven.
He is survived by his wife Janet; children Chuck (Branna) and Mike (Sarah); grandchildren Laine, Case, and Declan; and sister Joan (Wayne) Sterenberg; Gary(Roxanne)Ansorge; Julie(Tim)Schreiner; Richard Ansorge; Tony(Susan)Ansorge; Bill Ansorge; Mary(Brian)Wheeler; Laurie Ansorge; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express its gratitude to Hospice of Michigan with a special thank you to Shelley, Tanya, Lindsey, and Destiny for their loving care.
Visitation, followed by a rosary, will be held from 4-6 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. at the Church, followed by the funeral, and then a luncheon in the Church's Family Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's or Hospice of Michigan.