As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Charles William Wiideman, 83, died peacefully on January 12, 2025, at his home in Truro, Massachusetts. Charles was born in Toivola, Michigan to Esther Wiideman, née Wisti, and Kaarlo Wiideman. Traveling with his itinerant family, he was schooled in Texas, California, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Charles was the husband of Sarah Wiideman, née Knuuttila, the father to a daughter, Andrea Wiideman-Basso, twin sons, Eric Wiideman and Aaron Wiideman, father-in-law to Piero Basso, a beloved grandpa to Ansel, Aureliana and Maximiliano. He was a brother to Virginia Kennedy, Frances Wiideman and Henry Wiideman, a cherished brother-in-law and nephew, an uncle to more than 40 nieces and nephews, a trusted friend and colleague to many, and best friend to his broken-hearted, best dog, Polo.
He was predeceased by a son, Aaron Wiideman, a brother, Henry Wiideman, and his parents. Charlie, Kalle to his wife, Finnish family and friends, learned to fly by means of the GI Bill after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during the early years of the conflict in Vietnam. In his first job as a professional pilot, he flew the night run for the U.S. Mail from Detroit to Chicago in a WWII-era Twin Beech 18. Racking up hours, he earned his stripes by managing more than one harrowing emergency such as losing an engine, as a rookie pilot, at night, half-way across Lake Michigan.
In his career as a pilot, Charlie flew for several corporate and commercial flight departments before landing at Chrysler Corporation. He was type-rated in a Twin Beech 18, a Beech 99, Cessna Citations and Gulfstreams II, III, IV, V and the G550. For his skill, notable character and humor, Charlie was well known, well liked and respected in the industry, by colleagues and workmates. He circumnavigated the globe more times than he could recall; he referred to himself as “a driver” and flew, typically, Chrysler executives and CEOs, besides notables in other industries, including music and entertainment and in the federal government. After more than 30 years flying, Charlie retired from Pentastar Aviation (formerly Chrysler Corporation flight department) at age 73.
Charlie was talented with his hands and working with wood whether reroofing the barn or creating cherry wood dining tables. He was an avid peruser – in books and films of WWII besides Finnish and Russian histories. His physical strength and Finnish determination were exceptional, as was his work ethic and his sense of decency. With these gifts he inspired his family and many who knew him.
He is sorrowfully missed – our Charlie, Kalle, Uncle, Grandpa and Dad
A graveside service will be held at 11AM, on May 24th, at the Elo Cemetery, Elo, Michigan
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Apostolic Lutheran Church, Tapiola, Michigan, The Copper Country Humane Society, Houghton, Michigan, or the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, Michigan.
To view Charles Obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
Arrangements in care of Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel.
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