As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Charles A. Matrosic, PE, 85, of Hancock, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at U.P. Health System-Marquette Hospital. Chuck was born to Charles B. and June D. (Alfsen) Matrosic on April 27, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan.
Chuck graduated from Detroit Redford High School. He earned a BS in Metallurgical Engineering and a MS in Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech University, and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. While at Michigan Tech he met Joan Dorothy Brodeur, they were married on December 28, 1965 in Hancock and have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The family resided in Fort Belvoir, VA; Hancock, MI; Lewiston, ID; Heidelberg, Germany; Dallas, TX; Fort McCoy, WI; and Big Rapids, MI.
Chuck was commissioned as an officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1964 through the Michigan Tech ROTC program and retired from the Army in 1985. He served overseas in Korea and Vietnam, and in Germany with his family. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement, The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and the Parachutist Badge. His service included assignment as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Michigan Tech. He was 100% disabled veteran due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.
On his retirement from the military, Chuck became a Professor of Construction Technology and Management at Ferris State University. While at Ferris, Chuck served as a faculty member, department head, associate dean, and interim dean. He retired with emeritus status in 2005, and he and Joanie took up residence on Bootjack Road in Lake Linden, Michigan, moved to Citrus Hills, Florida in 2016, and moved to Hancock in 2021.
Chuck is survived by his wife Joanie, his son Kevin Charles (Mary) Matrosic, his daughter Jacqueline Ann (Eleanor Andrews) Matrosic, grandsons Charles Kevin (Christina) Matrosic, and Daniel James Matrosic (Kaitlyn), granddaughter Elinor Ettie Matrosic Andrews, great-granddaughter Amelia June Matrosic, great-grandson Carson Charles Matrosic, and sisters Kathie Horsman and Paula Greene. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Clark Greene and Ed Horsman.
Graveside services and burial with full military honors will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton with the Copper Country Veterans Association.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
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