Chuck Adams, 87

Charles Wesley Adams, age 87, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 and joined his son, Howard, who predeceased him Dec. 5, 2020.
He was surrounded by his surviving sons, Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Trish, and Christopher and daughter-in-law Carrie; daughter Theresa; and grandchildren Nicholas, Mikey, Ashlee, Avery, Riley, Annabelle, Joey and Logan. Three additional grandchildren, Wes, Sophia and Alex, live in California.
Charles (Chuck) Wesley Adams was born Jan. 11, 1934, in Sturgis, to Howard and Freda Adams. Chuck graduated from Sturgis High School, where he majored in track and football and enrolled at Western Michigan University. He was drafted by the U.S. Army, but because he was a member of the Naval Reserve, served in the Navy instead. After discharge, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Spaniola, and finished Western with a degree in accounting.
Upon graduation, Mary and Chuck moved to South Bend, where Chuck traveled as a member of the Bendix audit staff. For the next five years, the growing family traveled with him whenever possible in their Holiday Rambler. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and when they moved to St. Joseph and Chuck’s new job at Heathkit, bought a Lake Michigan boat to go after the coho! Dad has been the topic of many fish stories. The dreaded trolling and fishless fishing to the point that fishing has skipped a generation to grandson Nick, who always caught more than Gramps.
The dream of farm living became a reality when the now family of six bought historic White Gate Farm in Buchanan. Farm life agreed with the “city slickers” who excelled at 4-H horse events and loved winters snowmobiling with great neighbors. Raising kids, a cow, horses and cats, he once had 26 barn cats. He had them all named and when he gave them away would make a follow-up visit to see if they were thriving. During 30 years at White Gate Farm, Chuck worked as comptroller over the Heath Company’s retail stores, retiring about the time Heath closed its doors.
He rode his Gold Wing motorcycle to work from the farm to St. Joseph every day, weather-permitting, and was thrilled when Mary agreed to take a trip to New England, provided they antique and visit historic restorations. Following was the car trip to pick up the antiques. Chuck loved athletic events in which his children excelled, and as his grandchildren began playing high school sports, he never missed a game.
Moving to the lake 16 years ago, into a house Howard built for them, Chuck has enjoyed grandkids, boating, Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club, friends, dining out and Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph’s Church in Watervliet.
A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 157 Lucinda Lane, Watervliet, with Fr. John Ambrose officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. Memorials may be made to Sarett Nature Center, Fernwood Botanical Garden or St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in New Buffalo. Those wishing to share a memory of Charles online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.