Mr. Bruce Wayne Charleston

****A FUNERAL SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY FOR MR. BRUCE WAYNE CHARLESTON WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023 AT OUR FUNERAL HOME, ****NOTE: PLEASE SEE VISITATION & SERVICE TIMES LISTED BELOW**** ****PLEASE NOTE THE FAMILY IS REQUESTING THAT MASKS ARE WORN AND WE WILL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER WHEN ENTERING OUR BUILDING. If you have any questions, please contact us at: (269) 342-1000 _________________________________ THE OBITUARY Bruce Wayne Charleston transitioned this world on January 26, 2023, at his family home with his brother Jeffrey at his side. Bruce was the last of nine children born to the late Isiah and Eileen Charleston on January 14, 1966. Bruce confessed his faith in Christ at an early age while attending Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Otha Gilyard. Bruce attended Kalamazoo Public Schools where he enjoyed playing football. He played the running back position because he possessed great balance and strength and was considered the core of the offensive team. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1984 and worked various jobs throughout his life. For the past 10 years he was employed at Kalamazoo Public Schools until he fell ill. Bruce was a jack-of-all-trades and mastered a few for example: installing and repairing furnaces, hot water heaters, along with electrical and plumbing work. In addition, he was knowledgeable when it came to fixing vehicles especially older models. Bruce was a social person yet private and reserved who loved music especially old school R&B. He would sit in his car in the driveway listening to music for hours. He enjoyed riding his bike around the neighborhood particularly in the summer and had purchased him a new Huffy Men's Cruiser last summer. His passion was cooking full course meals and of course feasting on them! His specialty was grilling in the summer for his family and friends and preparing a full course Thanksgiving dinner every year. Most importantly he loved his family especially his children and grandchildren, whom will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents Isiah and Eileen Charleston; 1 daughter Nichelle Sykes; 1 stepson, Orlando Walker; 1 sister, Charlotte Dunigan; 4 brothers, Tommy, Alfred, Steven and Derek Charleston; 1 nephew, Antonio Ferguson; 1 great nephew, Diontay Charleston and his god brother, Michael Beville-Thompson. Left to cherish his memory is 3 sons, Anthony (Allea) Charleston, Ashauntay Charleston and Andrias Charleston all of Kalamazoo, Michigan; 4 granddaughters, Aniyah, Ay'Lah and Armani Charleston and NaQuasha Williams, 2 grandsons, Anthony Charleston and DaQuan Williams all of Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1 stepdaughter, April Brown; 2 step sons, Darlynzo Brown and Markuise (Katherine) Brown along with the mother of his children and best friend for life Beverly Fry; 2 sisters Mary Charleston-Elder and Tracy Charleston-Blakes; 1 brother, Jeffrey Charleston; 1 stepbrother, James White and 1 sister-in-law, Theresa Charleston all of Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1 aunt Rosalee Springs and 1 uncle, Alfred Charleston both of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; 1 special cousin, Jack Dunigan along with bonus sisters and brothers, Thelma Fry, Lynn Minor and Teresa (Mike) Brown, Raynard and Paul Fry all of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Mr. Bruce Wayne Charleston

January 14, 1966 - January 26, 2023