February 04 1941 December 08 2019
Charles’ Obituary The journey of life for Charles Bernard Van Pelt began February 4, 1941 in Detroit, MI to Ms. Sadie Van Pelt and Mr. Clarence Williams. At the tender age of three, his maternal grandfather Theodore Van Pelt Sr. and step-grandmother Lela Van Pelt raised Charles in Inkster, MI. The voyage of Charles’s childhood allowed him to receive his formal education at Inkster High School, which prompted him to expand his knowledge at a higher level at the Michigan Christian College. Though Charles had the aspiration of becoming a minister, his journey diverted him to the workforce with Ford Motor Company (Rawsonville). While employed at Ford Motor Company, Charles’s need to serve impelled him to enroll in the University of Michigan Labor Studies Program to ensure his colleagues were treated with dignity and respect. While embracing the workforce, Charles decided to extend the American dream and get married. Hence, in 1963, Charles married Shirley Jordan. During this union, the two were blessed with a beautiful daughter Crystal Renee’ Van Pelt. As life progressed, Charles continued to mature spiritually and became a Sunday School teacher which led to being an ordained deacon at Northwest Church of Christ for seventeen years. Life’s journey took Charles down various roads. One road led him to Nebrenda Burroughs, whom he married October 21, 1997. The two were inseparable and made every effort to follow God’s statutes. The bond the two had allowed them to worship the Lord our God at Community Church of God under the teaching of Pastors Fred Davis, Francine Moorman Ph.D. and Theron W. Kersey III. Charles’s dedication led him to be appointed as a trustee. Charles’s dedication to God along with his job influenced him to retire from Ford Motor Company after forty-two years to pursue the ministry. For this reason, Charles enrolled in the Moody Bible Institute where his desire to become a minister was fulfilled. The faithfulness, the certification and the qualification elevated Charles to become Elder Charles. Elder Charles was a unique man with a kind heart. He had a passion to assist as many individuals along with the truth, which was exhibited with the Red Cross, Ford Motor Company, the UAW, The University of Michigan, his family, his friends and the church. Elder Charles was a gift from God and will be sorely missed with his contributions to the various church ministries and the community. He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and caring wife Nebrenda; his daughter Crystal Renee’ Van Pelt of Westland, MI; brothers, Ronnie (Loretta) Van Pelt of Southfield, MI, Donald Van Pelt of Atlanta, GA and Albert (Shirley) Eastman of Detroit, MI; sisters, Trudy Eastman of Canton, MI, Alberta Eastman of Detroit, MI and Shirley “Tiny” Roots of Inkster, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. His mother Ms. Sadie Van Pelt, father Mr. Clarence Williams, grandfather Theodore Van Pelt Sr., step-grandmother Lela Van Pelt and sister Yvonne Eastman preceded him in death. The funeral service will be 11 am Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Community Church of God565 Jefferson, Ypsilanti with Pastor Theron Kersey officiating. Burial will follow in United Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 5-8 pm Friday at Stark Funeral Service and the family hour will be 10 am until time of service Saturday at the church. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Charles Bernard Bernie Van Pelt February 04 1941 December 08 2019.
Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home, Inc.
Death notice for the town of: Milan, state: Michigan