Charles Richard Bietau

Loving father of Holly (Craig) Vestal, Janet, Jodi (Bob) Duffey, and Kathy (Roger)Bietau-Jones. Dear brother of Jim and the late Jack (Virginia) Bietau. Proud grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Born September 16, 1932 in Rockford, Illinois to Viola (Anderson) Bietau and Carl G. Bietau, Chuck grew up in Rockford, Illinois and was always involved in sports, beginning as a kid with playground and Jaycee baseball and progressing to high school and semi-pro baseball. He even served as bat boy for the Rockford Rox, a Cincinnati Reds farm team. Growing up in Illinois also made him a lifelong Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks fan. Chuck competed in basketball, baseball, and football at West Rockford High School, and after graduating, attended Beloit College on a basketball scholarship, but after the death of his mother, he returned home after his freshman year to help his father with the family business. He then proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After completing two years of service, he returned to Rockford and married Naomi on May 27, 1955. He also enrolled at Northern Illinois University and earned his bachelor’s degree in business.

Upon graduating from Northern Illinois, Chuck began his 38-year career with Sears, Roebuck and Company as a Management Trainee while he and Toots then raised four daughters. Relocating became a way of life for the Bietaus. His management assignments took them to 9 destinations/assignments in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan as he was climbing the corporate ladder with Sears.

Chuck was a people person who took great pride in meeting others and making sure they felt valued and seen. Whether they were fellow employees or someone waiting on him at a store, restaurant, or the doctor’s office, Chuck always took the time to connect with them and his focus was always positive, perhaps this is why he became the first president of a new Optimist Club while the family was living in Clinton, Iowa.

After transferring to Michigan, he and Naomi became strong supporters of Michigan State University and devoted Spartan fans. Golf became his and Naomi’s game, and when Chuck retired from Sears in 1993, this allowed the two of them to enjoy many years of golfing together as they wintered in Lakeland, Florida for 22 years as “snowbirds.”

A devoted family man with a quick, mischievous wit, his greatest love was the time spent with family and friends - vacations, camping trips, fishing, and, of course, holidays and birthdays. Watching kids and grandkids grow up was special to Chuck, who loved singing, as he would often accompany his favorite singers, especially Frank Sinatra or the Mills Brothers. As a devoted Chicago Cubs fan, he once wrote a letter to the Cubs’ general manager offering his advice on changes that needed to be made in order for the team’s performance to improve. His favorite Cubs were Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg.

Chuck was a devoted member of his church and helped in any way he could, whether it was St. Luke’s in Haslett or Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland. He also offered his services as maintenance man at the Brookshire Golf Course in Williamston.

A memorial service will be held on June 1, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Rd. Haslett, MI 48840.

*Luncheon to follow service*

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Chuck's name may be made to: St Luke Lutheran Church @ https://knowingjesus.org/give or to: Lansing City Rescue Mission @ https://rescuemidmichigan.org/donate/