Charles "Chuck" J. Oleniczak, age 85 of Manistee, MI was called to set sail to eternal life on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from his earthly home where he was surrounded by his family.

He was born on August 8, 1938 in Manistee, MI son of the late Jerome "Ole" and Josephine (Hansen) Oleniczak.  Chuck attended Manistee High School and was a graduate of the class of 1957.  During his junior and senior year in high school, Chuck was a reservist from 1956 thru 1957 and also 1975 thru 1995 when he retired on June 1, 1995.  Right after graduation, Chuck enlisted and served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1957 thru 1959.  He was employed with Manistee Tobacco from 1957 thru 1960, Manistee Salt in 1960 which became Hardy Salt, helped close Hardy's and opened Diamond Crystal, helped close Diamond Crystal and open Akzo Salt, then closed the salt plant and opened General Chemical where he was 1 year short of retirement when the plant closed in 2003.  He later attended West Shore Community College where he took a two-year Corrections Training Course and he also worked for the Manistee United Methodist Church from 1975 thru 2015.

Chuck married Jeanne Austin on December 22, 1972, in Manistee, MI, they celebrated over 50 years of marriage.  He was a member of the Eagles of Manistee, a lifetime member of the AMVETS, Navy Memorial and Navy Fleet Reserve.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne Oleniczak, his children, Michael & Marisol Oleniczak of Benicarlo, Spain and Mark & Lisa Oleniczak of Eastlake, MI, Sherrie & Tom Sanders of Ludington, MI, David Oleniczak and Ken Oleniczak both of Manistee, MI, his grandchildren, Ashlie (Bill) Flint, Bryan (Jenna) Sanders, Candace Oleniczak, Joseph (M.G.) Oleniczak. Austin (Tori) Oleniczak, Cortney (Joe) McCormic, Iroquois (K.) Oleniczak, Sequoya (Nick) Biehl, Erika Oleniczak and Sienna Oleniczak, his great grandchildren, Fisher, Max, Jude, Sadie, Kinsey, Calvin, Liam, Katherine, Robert, Addison, Serenity and Aurora, his brother James & Cyndi Oleniczak, his sisters Charlotte Raczkowski and Barbara Wright.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was preceded in death in addition to his parents by two sisters, Jean Ann and Mary Jo, and a granddaughter Cherokee Rae Eva Oleniczak; His father and mother-in-law, Frank and Nadine Austin and his brother-in-law, Vern Wright

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee, with Reverend Mitchel Roman celebrant.  Private family Interment will take place at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee at a later date.

The family will receive friends at the church on Monday morning one hour prior to mass at 11:00 a.m.  A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow at the St. Joseph parish hall.

After careful consideration of all the different charities that dad (Chuck) supported, his main concern was that mom (his wife) was taken care of and so the family has decided that in lieu of flowers, we would like donations to be given to mom (his wife) directly for her to put into her roof replacement fund.

Also in lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in Chuck's name for Guardian Angel Historical Preservation Project, Michigan Heart Association and Hospice of Michigan.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and also at the church on Monday morning.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.