Charles Howard Palumbo

Charles Howard Palumbo a.k.a. "Dr. Charlie" a mighty man of God, lived a victorious life that began October 14, 1950 in West Boylston, Massachusetts to Joseph and Evelyn (Prinsen) Palumbo. His early years were in the New York City school system until his family eventually moved to Michigan where they temporarily resided with his grandparents on a farm and where his passionate love for the outdoors began. After graduating from South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1968, he proudly served in the United States Air Force. After his service to his country, his focus then became a long and committed relationship to higher education. He served on the Battle Creek Police Department and with the US Army Reserves until his acceptance into dental school. He graduated from the University of Detroit Dental School in 1989 & began practicing dentistry in Battle Creek, Michigan where he continued to practice for the next 32 years. He received his fellowship of Academy of General Dentistry in 2002 and was a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Charlie was committed to help the underserved and was director of the Nursing Clinic dental program, the Community Dental Access program, and was currently The Fountain Clinic Dental program director. He was an investor of people and wholeheartedly believed that relationships are everything. His life reflected that of a man passionate for servanthood, generosity and justice. He absolutely adored family and "family" to him was more than genetics; it was the invaluable relationships built on time and love. Charlie loved spending time with and teaching his grandchildren about the Lord, survival skills and building quality relationships. His hobbies included reading, hiking, learning, being an outdoorsman, husband and always looking forward to the next adventure.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents & his nephew, John Shipley, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Lori (Hawthorne) Palumbo; his sons, Theodore (Renee) Palumbo, Charles Dwight (Kim) Palumbo, Tyler (Logan) Kerr; his daughter, Lindsay (Rob) Freidhoff; his grandchildren, Justin, Andrea, Seth, Brenden, Brayden, Langston, Benson, Kian, Allie, Gibson, Elliott, and Emery; as well as ten great grandchildren; brothers, Anthony (Cathy) Palumbo, Thomas (Mary) Palumbo, James (Lori) Palumbo; and sisters, Frances (Mike) Reus, and Noreen (Ed) Ryske.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. A private memorial service to celebrate Charlie's life will be held 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 22, 2021, officiated by Reverend James McGuire. The service will be Livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/538746358. Full military honors followed at Fort Custer National Cemetery and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/540276305. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Fountain Clinic dental program, (https://www.fountainclinic.org) 111 N. Jefferson Street Suite 1, Marshall, MI 49068. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Charlie may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.