Charles Henry Gossel

Charles “Chuck” Henry Gossel, 87, of Flint, Michigan, died June 19, 2017 at The Villa at the Bay in Petoskey, Michigan.

Chuck was born on September 9, 1929 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Robert and Ruby (Runnel) Gossel. He grew up in Flint and attended Flint Northern High School.

On August 2, 1952, he married Esther Bernadine Town. Chuck and Esther had three children and shared 65 happy years of marriage.

Chuck enjoyed operating various machines at the Perry Printing Company from 1949-1991. Throughout his life, Chuck enjoyed reading and playing many sports. He was an enthusiastic softball player into young adulthood, then he became an avid bowler for 30 years. Later, he competed in local Euchre tournaments.

Upon retirement, Chuck and Esther enjoyed traveling and became especially interested in North American birds. For several years, they participated in Hawk Watches, counting predatory birds for The National Audubon Society. Some of their favorite locations in springtime were the Bird Observatory in Whitefish Point, MI and Beach Migration Observatory in Holiday Beach, Ontario. In the fall, they were at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in MN or Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in PA.

Chuck was a tough man but he dearly loved his family, especially his wife Esther. Up until the day he died he would always tell Esther how much he loved her. 

Chuck is survived by the true love of his life, Esther Gossel; children, Charles H. (Deborah) Gossel, Jr.; Kathy Kristine Tyler and Connie (Stewart) Maggrett; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; sister, Janet Brownlee; and many nieces and nephews. Chuck is preceded in death by his siblings, Robert F. Gossel, Jr., Shirley Oberholtzer, and Mary Jane Keller; brother-in-law, Robert Brownlee; and his parents.

There will be a private family service at a later date. Friends and family wishing to make a charitable donation are asked to consider Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton, PA 19529) and the American Diabetes Association.

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