Kenton Charles "Chuck" Olson

Kenton Charles "Chuck" Olson, 90, of Portage passed away on the afternoon of Wednesday October 11th. He was born on November 6, 1932, in Escanaba, MI son to Kenton W. and Beatrice (Wollarshiem) Olson. On November 25, 1954, Chuck married Jo Ann Register of Welch, WV at Buckroe Methodist Church in Hampton, WV. She preceded him in death in 2011. Chuck graduated from Escanaba Senior High School in 1951 and afterwards enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952. It was not until he joined the military that he saw his given first name of Kenton on his birth certificate. Because he shared a first name with his father, he had always used his middle name and went by Charles, Chuck, or Charlie. One he joined the service he added Kenton, Ken, and Kenny to his list of names. Chuck served 20 years in the US Air Force and retired as a Master Sargent. He then worked 15 years at the Empire Mine in Palmer, MI near Marquette. Chuck and Jo Ann moved to Portage, MI in the late 1980's where Chuck worked as a truck driver delivering furniture around the Midwest. In his youth, Chuck was an excellent baseball pitcher and shined at several sports including figure skating. He later grew to love golf which he played until he was 75-yrs old. Those close to Chuck also know he spent far too much time getting worked-up about politics. Chuck was a great provider for his family and was self-reliant to the end, rarely asking for anything from anyone. Survivors include Chuck's children Cindy and Michael of Portage, MI; grandchildren Troy (Christine) Flodin of Grand Rapids, MI and Tami (Patrick) Cook of Tecumseh; nine great grandchildren; brother Robert of El Dorado Hills, CA; sister-in-law Laura Olson, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jo Ann, he was preceded in death by his daughter Brenda and her husband Fred Flodin; brother, Richard Olson; sister, Kathryn and her husband Robert Hanson; and grandson, Dustin Flodin.

Visitation will be on Saturday October 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Langeland Funeral Home located at 411 East Centre St., Portage, MI. A brief memorial service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Major Ronnie Amick officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date, at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South in Kalamazoo, Michigan.