Charles Gary McKendree

Frankenmuth, Michigan

(October 07, 1930 – September 22, 2022)

Charles Gary McKendree, 91, passed away on September 22, 2022 at Wellspring Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth MI.  His memory is cherished by his 5 children, Birt (Polly) McKendree, Craig (Cindy) McKendree, Kathy McKendree (Bob Laski), Eric McKendree, and Karen McKendree (Tony Fields); 10 grandchildren, Jason (Tasha) McKendree, Ryan (Nicole) McKendree, Kyle (Lynn) McKendree, Justin (Ashley) McKendree, Kevin (Jie) McKendree, Christopher Blake, Travis Greenburg, Alec Greenburg (Dominique Hayes-Carr), Miles Shannon, Mason Shannon, and 6 great-grandchildren.  He also leaves a loving sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Lanny Williams, plus many nieces, nephews, beloved family, and friends.  In addition to his parents Charles "Cotton" and Clara (Punches) McKendree, he joins his sister and brother-in-law Alice and Don Wiltse, his loving wife Janet, and two children Russell and Corine in his new heavenly home.

Gary was born in Saginaw MI.  During the depression, the family lived in a house called the "tar paper shanty" until around 1941, when the "big white house" was built.  This home may not have been as fancy as their friends' home, but there was a lot of love in it.  He graduated from Saginaw High School in 1948 and enlisted in the Army at the age of 21, serving in the Korean War. He married the love of his life Janet on June 14 ^th , 1954 and settled in the Frankenmuth area having 7 children.  In 1954, Gary and his school friend Jack Gilbert went into business together plastering homes.  He later bought Jack out and the business was then called McKendree Plastering.  Another school friend, Al Hildebrandt, worked for McKendree Plastering for the next 15 years.  Most of the homes in the Frankenmuth area were plastered by Gary and his crew during that time!  In 1970, Gary went out of business and went to work for the CSX Railroad until his retirement.

In his free time, Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, country music, John Wayne westerns, playing cards & games, and always spending time with family and friends.  He was a great bowler, participating in multiple Peterson Classic tournaments in the 60's and 70's that were aired on TV, earning 300 game rings, trophies, and patches for his accomplishments.  Gary was a true Jack of all Trades, and was often found fixing a broken appliance, or tinkering on a car, while whistling along with a country tune on the radio.  He could fix just about anything, but if he couldn't he certainly knew someone who could.

The family sends their thanks to the staff at Wellspring Lutheran Home who cared for Gary with skilled compassion and courage.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Cederberg Funeral Home in Frankenmuth Michigan. 590 N. Franklin St. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to the time of service. Rev. Mike Nitz from Bethany Lutheran Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org).