Longtime Naubinway resident Charles E. "Chuck" Haapala, 74, was a U.S. Navy veteran who went on to a career as a conservation officer. Mr. Haapala died Thursday morning, May 27, 2010, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette.

He was born July 23, 1935, in Sault Ste. Marie to Edward and Elma (nee Honkonen) Haapala.

Mr. Haapala was a 1953 graduate of Newberry High School. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War until his honorable discharge December 9, 1961.

He then continued his education and was a 1964 graduate of Northern Michigan University. He was briefly employed for one semester as a teacher at Engadine Consolidated Schools before working as a conservation officer for the Department of Natural Resources for 28 years, retiring in 1992.

Mr. Haapala was a life member of VFW Post 8372 in Engadine and served as post commander for the past eight years. He was also a member of American Legion Post 290, the National Rifle Association, and State Employment Retirement Association. He was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Engadine, where he served as an elder for the past 15 years.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Naubinway; two children and their families, Cheryl and Gregg Belleville of Clinton Township, and David and Krista Haapala of Traverse City; four grandchildren, Evan Belleville, Colin Belleville, William Haapala, and Karoline Haapala; an aunt, Sally Hockstad of Newberry; and a cousin and his family, David and Marcia Mahn of Newberry.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two aunts, Katie Baine and Laina Mahn; two uncles, Bill and Charlie Honkonen, and two brothers in-law, Ken and Jerry Bryers.

Friends called at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Saturday, May 29, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Services followed at 2 p.m. at the church with Pastor Arthur Bode officiating. Burial with military honors will take place at a later date at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry assisted the family with arrangements.