Charlie Halonen Charlie E. “Bert” Halonen, 84, formerly of Rudyard, and Tucson, Arizona, died Thursday, Decem - ber 10, 2009, at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord.

He was born September 15, 1925, in Rudyard, to Charles Arthur and Nina Sofia (nee Hendrickson) Halonen.

Mr. Halonen grew up in Rudyard and was graduated from Rudyard High School in 1943. He served as a sonar operator in the United States Navy from January 1944 to January 1946 and then continued his service with the Michigan Army National Guard.

He married Violet Ounapu February 8, 1946, in Sault Ste. Marie, and they lived primarily in Rudyard until 1973, when they moved to Tucson. Mr. Halonen worked many different jobs to support his family, including long haul truck driver, cheese and butter maker at the Rudyard Cheese Factory, manager of the Rudyard Shell service station, custodian for the Rudyard school system, and truck driver and warehouse manager for Browse Around Furniture in Tucson.

After retiring in 1987, he decided to spend all of his time traveling in his recreational vehicle, with his summer base in Rudyard and a winter base in Tucson. He loved to travel and particularly enjoyed taking the family on vacations.

Mr. Halonen is survived by a son, Robert Halonen of Aurora, Colorado; a daughter and her family, Sharon and Raymond Pelissier of Marquette; a brother and his family, Martin and Peg Halonen of Hessel, and Lantana, Florida; a sister and her family, Dorothy and Charles Altonen of Ashtabula, Ohio; his dear friend, Marjorie “Mollie” Langendam of Cot - tonwood, Ar izona, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Violet, in 1982, and by hsi second wife, Anne Paltrow, in 1987.

A memorial will be held at St. James Lutheran Church next summer. Inurnment will be in North Rudyard Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to St. James Lutheran Church in Rudyard, Tendercare of Gaylord, or the Arthritis Foundation.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.