Charles Raths
October 18, 1939 - March 15, 2025
Obituary
Charles A. Raths Jr.
Saginaw, Michigan
Loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Charles A. Raths, age 85, of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Wellspring Assisted Living.
Charles was born on October 18, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to Charles and Louise (Dederich) Raths Sr. He married the love of his life, Karen McIntyre, on August 19, 1961, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Saginaw, and they celebrated 61 wonderful years together.
Charlie worked for Saginaw Steering Gear as a metallurgist, where he dedicated 35 years of service before retiring in 1992. He later went on to teach metallurgy at Delta College and worked for several companies until he fully retired in 2020. A man of great faith, Charlie was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Saginaw and later became a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. He loved volunteering at both places and was an active member of the Audubon Society, helping with the annual bird count.
A true tinkerer, Charlie enjoyed spending his time fixing electronics, reading, and watching shows about how things were made. He cherished his time at his lake house and, most of all, the moments he spent with his family.
Charlie is survived by his children: Margaret Warren, Mary Barry, Linda (Herb) Grimshaw, John (Diane) Raths, and Peter Raths; his beloved grandchildren: Lindsey Warren, Marissa Warren, Matthew (Heather) Barry, Peter (Kate) Barry, Cleo Barry, Isaac Grimshaw, John “JJ” Raths, and Maggie Raths; and his siblings, Carolyn (Art) Will and Josette Card. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his parents; son-in-law, Michael Warren; and siblings, Patricia Sherman, Mary Lou Babinski, and John Raths.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 6400 McCarty Road, Saginaw, MI 48603.
Memorial contributions in honor of Charlie may be made to the East Side Soup Kitchen, 940 E. Genesee Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607.
For more information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
Saginaw, Michigan
Loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Charles A. Raths, age 85, of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Wellspring Assisted Living.
Charles was born on October 18, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to Charles and Louise (Dederich) Raths Sr. He married the love of his life, Karen McIntyre, on August 19, 1961, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Saginaw, and they celebrated 61 wonderful years together.
Charlie worked for Saginaw Steering Gear as a metallurgist, where he dedicated 35 years of service before retiring in 1992. He later went on to teach metallurgy at Delta College and worked for several companies until he fully retired in 2020. A man of great faith, Charlie was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Saginaw and later became a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. He loved volunteering at both places and was an active member of the Audubon Society, helping with the annual bird count.
A true tinkerer, Charlie enjoyed spending his time fixing electronics, reading, and watching shows about how things were made. He cherished his time at his lake house and, most of all, the moments he spent with his family.
Charlie is survived by his children: Margaret Warren, Mary Barry, Linda (Herb) Grimshaw, John (Diane) Raths, and Peter Raths; his beloved grandchildren: Lindsey Warren, Marissa Warren, Matthew (Heather) Barry, Peter (Kate) Barry, Cleo Barry, Isaac Grimshaw, John “JJ” Raths, and Maggie Raths; and his siblings, Carolyn (Art) Will and Josette Card. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his parents; son-in-law, Michael Warren; and siblings, Patricia Sherman, Mary Lou Babinski, and John Raths.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 6400 McCarty Road, Saginaw, MI 48603.
Memorial contributions in honor of Charlie may be made to the East Side Soup Kitchen, 940 E. Genesee Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607.
For more information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
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Ann Harrison
Other •
Ann Harrison planted a grove of 3 Memorial Trees in honor of Charles A. Raths Jr..
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Carolyn Will Family
Other •
Carolyn Will Family planted a grove of 3 Memorial Trees in honor of Charles A. Raths Jr..
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Plymouth Historical Museum
Other •
Plymouth Historical Museum purchased the Plants-A-Plenty for the family of Charles A. Raths Jr..