Charles A. Deater Jr., age 74 of Rothbury and formerly of Fremont, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2002 at the Lakeshore Community Hospital in Shelby. He was born on August 27, 1927 in Muskegon to Charles A. and Lillian (Culhane) Deater Sr. and married Norma Goff on June 28, 1950 in Grand Rapids. He had been a master mechanic and heavy equipment operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local#324 in Detroit and #302 in Seattle, Washington until his retirement. He was a life member of the D.A.V and had been a veteran of the Korean Conflict where he served in the United States Army Air Corps and the United States Air Force. He was also a member of the Parker Road Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Norma of Rothbury; his children, Patsy (Ralph) Smiley of Applegate, Michigan; Charles L. Deater Sr. of Rothbury; Roxy (Ken) Lattin of Spring Lake; Mike (Laurie) Deater of White Cloud; Don (Lisa) Deater of Linden, Michigan; Cindy (Tony) Blamer of White Cloud; Aaron Deater of Rothbury; 17 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 7 sisters and 2 brothers. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter and 1 brother. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 9, 2002 from the Crandell Funeral Home-Fremont Chapel with Rev. Larry Mosher presiding with military rites given by the Holton American Legion, Cobb Trygstad Anderson Post #397 with interment in the Clark Cemetery. Friends may consider the Alzheimers Association for memorial contributions. Envelopes and arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home-Fremont Chapel. www.crandellfh.com