Charlotte Markwart
Charlotte Ann Markwart of Eaton Rapids passed away September 10, 2020, after a brave battle with Lewy body dementia.
Charlotte was born in Clarksburg, W.V., the daughter of Guy and Eva Powell. Her mother died when she was four and shortly after, Charlotte and her siblings were placed in an orphanage. Although traumatic, it was that experience that led to Charlotte’s lifelong compassion for the poor and downtrodden.
Charlotte is a 1950 graduate of Okemos High School, where she met the love of her life, Bob Markwart. She and Bob wed in 1950 and were married for 42 years until Bob’s death in 1992. They had three sons.
Charlotte was a woman of great faith and a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids. Next to her faith, the quality that defined her most was her endless love for her family. She was the keeper of her family history, and the one who could be always counted on to bring her loved ones together. She was passionate about her children and grandchildren and loved nothing more than caring for them and spending time with them.
Charlotte retired in 1991 from Eaton Rapids Public Schools, where she was a beloved librarian at Lockwood Elementary. It is ironic that she worked in a library, because anyone who knew Charlotte knows that she loved to talk. She constantly kept her family and friends laughing with her quick wit and spunk. She had too many classic sayings to count, and those close to her know all her favorite stories by heart.
Charlotte loved books and the movies. She often recalled that she had dreamed of becoming an actress before she fell in love and started a family, a choice she said she would not change for the world. She was an avid sports fan throughout her retirement, and especially enjoyed watching college basketball. She loved to travel and was proud to say she had visited every U.S. state except Hawaii. Her favorite place to travel to, though, was always West Virginia, where her pride in her roots ran deep.
Charlotte came through a lot in her life, and even in the late stages of her battle with dementia, she never lost her feistiness, her fight or her faith.
Charlotte is survived by her sons, Larry (Terri) Markwart of Florida, Garry Markwart of Portland and Barry Markwart of Mayville; grandchildren, Marci Markwart, Mandi Gordon, CharLynn Markwart, Carmelle (Brandon) Schantz, Danielle (Scott) McIntyre, Craig (Kaitlin) Markwart and Jayden Markwart; five great-grandchildren; sister, Joan Kessinger; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Markwart; parents, Guy and Eva Powell; five siblings; and several in-laws.
A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 515 E. Knight St., Eaton Rapids, with Fr. George Puthenpeedika officiating. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd. SW, Lilburn, GA 30047. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To share online condolences or memories please visit, MillsFuneral.com.