Charles Ahler

ISHPEMING, Mich. - Charles Ahler, 86, of Kiva, passed quietly early Thursday morning, April 22, 2021, at Mission Point of Ishpeming.

He was born on June 26, 1934, to Bernard and Helen (Wolf) Ahler in Burlington, Wisconsin. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Schools in Burlington before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1953. He served as an electrician's mate aboard submarines and was discharged in 1962.

He married Shirley Hankins of Charleston, South Carolina, in March of 1963 and returned to Burlington less than a year later. He worked for his brother at Arnold and Bob's Appliances for a number of years before joining the IBEW Local 494 and working for Magaw Electric, New Berlin, Wisconsin. He retired from Magaw in 1993.

Charles lost his first wife to chronic kidney failure in 1978.

He married Mary (LaChance) in 1982 and, after retirement, the two moved to Kiva. They opened the Schoolhouse Antique store which remained in business until 2005.

He and Mary enjoyed traveling and spent several winters in Florida, gathering antiques as they went.

Charles was a union man and a proud veteran and was active in the VFW and the American Legion. He enjoyed rummage sales, "antiquing," fishing and trapshooting. He was active in his church, and he and Mary were very devout.

Charles was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Gerrard; his sisters, Bernadine (Theodore) Nelson and Theresa (Everett) Rossmiller; as well as his wife, Shirley; and his wife, Mary, whom he lost in January 2021.

He is survived by his sister, Monica (Harry) Miller of Milwaukee; his sons, Gregory, of Ironwood, and Stephen, of Cashton, Wisconsin; his stepsons, Stephan Powers, of Albertville, Alabama, and Thomas (Linda) Powers, of Racine, Wisconsin; his stepdaughters, Carla (Gary) Selph, of Waukegan, Illinois, and Corinne (Rick) Adams, of Albertville, Alabama; as well as 18 grandchildren, and many, many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

No public services will be held at this time. Charlie's obituary and online guestbook may be found at bowermanfuneralhome.net.