Charles Wayne Pietila Jr.

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home: 

Charles “Chuckie” Wayne Pietila Jr., age 51, of L’Anse, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his daughters and loved ones. He was born in L’Anse, Michigan on October 12, 1972, the son of the late Charles Sr. and Iris (Tossava) Pietila. Chuck graduated from L’Anse High School in 1990 and attended Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After college, he moved back home to Alston, Michigan, and resided in different parts of the country while working as a travel welder, until he eventually came back home to L’Anse. 

Chuckie was a very skilled welder and worked everywhere. Prior to his welding career and a short stint in between welding jobs, he worked at the Ojibwa Lanes and Lounge as a bowling alley lane mechanic. In the earlier part of his welding career, he worked for Selkey’s Manufacturing for several years, DesRocher Bro’s Fabrication, L’Anse Warden Electric Co. LLC, then took to the road as a travel welder until about 2014. He took a short hiatus from work until 2018 when he took back to the road for Matrix Service Company in Tucson, Arizona. In 2021, Chuckie decided he had enough and wanted to be home with his family. He then found his most recent job working for VanStraten Brothers Fabrication doing what he loved, welding. 

Chuckie had a contagious laugh, heart of gold, and was as friendly as they came. He had friends around every corner and was known by most. He could easily strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere he went. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need and lend a helping hand to a stranger. If you knew him well, you were more than a friend, you were family.

Chuckie loved sports and was extremely competitive. He was one hell of a softball player and loved watching his daughters play, dedicated bowler and bowling coach, and hockey player. He sure loved his Detroit Red Wings and rarely missed a game. He was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers too. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cooking. Boy could that man cook, and he learned from the best, his Mother. If you ever had a bite of his steak… there is no way you could eat it any other way or be cooked by anyone else.

Although he graduated from L’Anse High School… he became a recent bandwagon to Baraga Area Schools due to his daughter and son-in-law coaching. He would often say, “Baraga really is the better school.”

Chuckie is survived by his loving daughters Corey Pietila (Durwyn Chaudier) and fur-grandchildren of Baraga, Michigan, and Anna Pietila (Jeff Johnson) and grandchildren Ali and Charlie of L’Anse, Michigan, and son Kollin Kangas, Chuckie’s girlfriend Betsey Leinonen and step-children Aiden, Rowen, and Willow Rexford of L’Anse, Michigan. He is also survived by his siblings Wanda (Glenn) Juntunen of Baraga, Michigan, Thomas (Deb) Pietila of Alston, Michigan, Timothy (Cheryl) Pietila of Ontonagon, Michigan, Jason (Christy) Pietila of San Diego, California, and Laurie (Tim) Zuidmulder, of Champlin, Minnesota. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. 

There will be no official service; however, the family will be hosting a celebration of life and potluck at the Baraga American Legion Post 444 on Sunday, March 17, 2024, starting at 12:00 PM. The family encourages any and all who knew Chuckie to attend and bring joy in such a dark and difficult time. Share stories, bring pictures, and wrap his children, grandchildren, and family in your arms. 

The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may sign Chuckie’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.