Charles Michael Gibson

Charles Michael Gibson, 57, of Watervliet, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rabbi Michael Rascoe officiating. Burial will follow at B’nai Shalom Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Temple B’nai Shalom Religious School. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Charles Gibson, better known as Mike, was born February 5, 1949 in Fort Hood, Texas to Charles G., Jr. & Dorothy Jean (Rummler) Gibson. MIke graduated from Ferris State University as a Registered Pharmacist. He was formerly employed as the Director of Pharmacy at Lee-Borgess Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac. In January of this year, he accepted the position of Research Pharmacist at Jasper Clinic at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. On October 9, 2005, he married the former Karen Elaine Portner at Temple B’nai Shalom in Benton Harbor. Mike had a passion for Raptor type birds, he was a Master Falconer. He enjoyed training and working with Falcons and also Hawks. He also enjoyed his Wire Hair Dachshunds. Mike was an accomplished skydiver with over 80 jumps to his credit, and was the past president of the Southwest Michigan Rose Society. Mike enjoyed making bread, with Challah Bread being his specialty, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Mike is survived by his wife Karen Elaine; seven children-David R. Gibson of Coloma, Ramona A. Rogers of Grand Rapids, Melissa M. Gibson of Farmington Hills, Heidi E. Collins of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Wendy A. Collins of Ft. Wayne, Katrina T. Gibson of Coloma, Jamie L. Thomas of Butler, IN; six grandchildren-Anthony T. Sedrowski, Aaron J. Gibson, Samantha E. Collins, Desiree C. Sedrowski, Grace K. Rogers, and Xander K. Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents.