TRAVERSE CITY — Eva Charline Royce, better known to family and friends as "Char," passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of July 22 at the Boardman Lake Glens, Inverness. She lived a long and wonderful life of 96 years. Char was born Feb. 17, 1915, in Detroit, to Marie and Otis Sonnanstine. The family, including her two sisters, Jean and Shirley, moved to Traverse City, where Char lived the remainder of her lifetime. In 1939, Char married William A. Royce Jr., who preceded her in death in 1998. Char loved being with friends, making miniature houses, needlepoint and petit point. Reading occupied a lot of her time in later years, including audio books when she could no longer read the large print books. She enjoyed the beauty of the Grand Traverse area, and her years living on the shore of West Grand Traverse Bay. She is survived by her three children, W. Allan (Donna) Royce, of McLean, Va., Susan M. (Richard) Crandall, of Cedarville, and John H. Royce, of Traverse City; five grandchildren, Amanda Crandall (Mark) Smith, of Harbor Springs, Jordan (Camille) Crandall, Rochelle Royce (Scott) Courtney, Lara Royce (Bill) Bryson and Jeanne M. Royce, all of northern Virginia and West Virginia. She also is survived by her sister, Shirley (Lionel) Larson; and nieces, Jean (Alan Deverell) Larson and Laurie Larson, of Traverse City. Her sister, Jean Sonnanstine died in 2005. Char also had nine great-grandchildren. The family has planned a private ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery. Char believed in helping people in our area with immediate needs. The Angel Fund, East Middle School, 1776 Three Mile Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, is funded by private donations and provides teachers with access to funds with which they can directly assist student needs that their family just can't meet. The Women's Resource Center would be another opportunity to remember Char. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Traverse City.