Charles Jako Jr.
February 1, 1923 – February 23, 2021
A service to celebrate his life will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, beginning at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Ron Hansen officiating. The family will greet guest at the funeral home one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of S.W. Michigan, c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 98, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at home with his family at his bedside. He was born in Kalamazoo on February 1, 1923, the son of the late Charles Sr. and Margit (Sabo) Jako. After graduating high school, he enlisted and served as a gunner’s mate in the US Navy from 1941 to 1945. After being honorably discharged he returned to make Portage his home. He was a gifted carpenter and skilled woodsmith. He retired from Miller Davis in 1984 as a project supervisor. He was a member of the Carpenters Union for over 50 years where he made many friends. After retiring, Charles continued to work as a carpenter until 2011. When not working Charles was an avid gardener, fisherman and a passionate hunter. He enjoyed hunting and fishing trips throughout the US, Canada, the Artic Circle and Africa. Charles great sense of humor, kind smile and great personality will be missed by all who loved him. He leaves behind the legacy of a life well lived. He is survived by a daughter, Shirley Bishop; five grandchildren, Tammy (William) McClure, Tim (Sherry) Clear, Linda Bailey, Heather and Marcus Bishop; ten great-grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He was also preceded in passing by his wife Ruth O. Jako; a daughter, LouAnn Cullum; infant son, Bruce Charles; four brothers and one sister.
Shirley, Tammy and Tim, I am very sorry for your loss in the passing of Father/Grandfather. As you well know I have known Chuck all my life, my parents were best friends with him and Ruth. He and my Dad were lifelong friends and even build houses next to each other to raise their young families in Portage after WW2. Chuck was a major mentor to me and was always willing to drop whatever was doing to help out with my project. We enjoyed many hunting trips out west and of course he was a big part of the Kazoo Camp in in the UP for many years. Even after he had to give up hunting up there he always wanted to hear the stories and if I didn’t call him soon enough after we got home I’d hear about it! There are many stories and laughs in that camp that are told every year starring him. I learned many building and carpenters tips and tricks from him, I just can’t apply them as well, few people can, he was a master carpenter. He built the cabinets in our kitchen and they are a monument to his skills. Even as he gone now from our physical lives, he will continue to have a welcome impact on us always… Darrell Plough
Chuck has been our dear neighbor for 42 years. He has always been so helpful, kind and caring to our family. He generously shared fresh tomatoes from his garden with us for many years. By his example, we have been motivated to keep leaves raked from our yard during the cool days of autumn, but we could never achieve his daily routine of John Deer tractor + turbo charged vacuum extraction of every leaf that fell on his well-kept yard. Chuck will be greatly missed. Our heart felt sympathy is extended to his family. Phil and Sharon Overholt