Obituary
Please join us for a celebration of Charles' life on Saturday, October 3 at 11:00am ET, at Thornapple Community Church. Family will receive guests as early as 10:45am. Find more details below, or click “Service” above.
Charles Ray Talsma died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family early in the morning on Friday, September 11, 2026. He was 74 years (minus a few days) old.
Charles was the oldest of seven children born to Roland and Wilma (Biesbrock) Talsma. In college he studied aviation, earning him the nickname Pilot. He spent several years working between Michigan and West Virginia before returning to Grand Rapids, where he met Kelly. They married in 1986 and would spend the next 40 years together, following adventures that included two children: Katelyn (Gerard) Mullan and Adam (Victoria), separate moves to Illinois and Iowa, career shifts and new businesses, and several very loved family dogs (Lucky, Jackson, and Harley). They ultimately settled in an old farmhouse in Ada, now home to the next generation of Talsma family.
Charles loved being outdoors. He was an avid boater, often itching to get out on “The Big Lake” as soon as his family could be convinced to don several layers and stick out the cold and choppy waves. He was an enthusiastic deer hunter, and family vacations were often centered around camping, fishing, and enjoying nature.
Charles was also a man of deep faith. He spent several years as a church deacon, and was often at the helm of a griddle or grill for pancake breakfasts and BBQs alike. He set an example for those around him through the very last moments of life, never fearing what came after his time on Earth.
Though his final months battling cancer were painful, they didn’t stop Charles from living each day to his fullest. His final summer included an unforgettable road trip with his beloved wife, a new Corvette he got to show off at the Metro Cruise, and the greatest gift of all–meeting his namesake granddaughter, Charlotte Ann.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law K. Earle McGowan, and several very close family and friends, who we know are awfully happy to see him again. While he is no longer with us in person, his spirit remains present and large in the lives of all who knew him and loved him.
We welcome you to share photos and stories of Charles, and will leave up this website so that you may return whenever you may need to visit with him for a time.
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My big brother was one of a kind.
He was loud, crazy, fun, and always had something going on. You never really knew what kind of adventure, story, joke, or unforgettable moment was coming next when he was around. He had a way of filling a room—not just with his voice, but with his personality, his laughter, and his energy. Life was never boring with him.
But underneath all that craziness was a heart that loved deeply.
He loved his family fiercely. He showed up, he cared, and he made sure the people around him knew they mattered. He had a way of making you laugh when you needed it, and a way of loving you that you could feel even when he didn't say much.
And above all, he had faith.
His faith was a real part of who he was. In the middle of all the noise, laughter, and craziness, there was a man who loved God and trusted Him. That part of him was just as genuine as everything else that made him who he was.
I will miss his voice. I'll miss his crazy stories and the things he'd get into. I'll miss never knowing what he was going to say or do next. I'll miss his laughter, his love, and simply knowing that my big brother was here.
He was loud. He was crazy. He was a whole lot of fun.
He was also faithful, loving, and one of a kind.
And I am so grateful that I got to call him my big brother.
His life may have been filled with noise and adventure, but the love he left behind speaks even louder.
I love you, big brother. Until we meet again.
But Chuck was much more than just a fun funny guy. First, he was a man of faith. Second, he was a man of family. He was devoted to God and family. No better words can be used to describe anyone.
Rest in Peace Chuck and peace to Kelley and family.
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