Charles Stedman passed away on April 25, 2026, at the age of 84 from a heart attack. He was born April 26, 1941 in Berwyn, Illinois to Everett and Betty (Hyler) Stedman. He was the oldest of their four children. Charles was a graduate of Bloomingdale High School, class of 1960.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend. He will be missed deeply by all who knew him.

Charles was married to his loving wife Shirley (Blacksten) for an amazing 65 years! They met as children when Charles’ family moved from Illinois to the Grand Junction, MI area where they attended the same school. Shirley used to let the air out of her bicycle tires near his house so he would help her fix the “flat” in hopes that she could catch his eye. Well, she did more than that, she captured Charles’s heart. They were married on June 10, 1960. They later moved to Allegan, MI where they raised their family. Charles was a farmer for over 30 years. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman as well as one of the handiest men you could ever hope to meet.

To quote our dad as he looked out with a big smile over the crowd of people gathered in their home to celebrate his then 80th birthday “Just look at what can happen when two people fall in love, we made all of that!”

Charles is survived by his wife, Shirley; their five daughters, Jane (Dan) DeJonge, Sheryl (Ray) Church, Sheila (Larry) Washburn, Rebecca Lundeberg and Melissa (Patrick) Borowiak; 13 grandchildren, Justin (Jane) DeJonge, Ashley (Cody) Crossman, Chelsea (Ben) Fitzpatrick, Charles (Ashley) Church, Samantha Burton, Vincent (Carly) Church, Jeremy (Bridget) Church, Lance (Becky) Washburn, Lee Washburn, Chase (Lydia)Washburn, Colin (Lauren) Washburn, Rylie Lundeberg, and Reese Borowiak; 18 great-grandchildren; as well as his brother, Dave (Vicky) Stedman; and, last but not least, his beloved dog, Buddy.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Stedman; and his sister, Gail (Stedman) Lough.

The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the American Heart Association.