Birth date: Nov 15, 1928 Death date: Oct 17, 2021
Commander Charles Herbert Zilch, US Navy (Ret.) 11/15/1928 - 10/17/2021 CDR Charles (Chuck) Zilch, aged 92 years old, passed away on October 17, 2021. Chuck lived his life always demonstrating his love and devotion to his family Read Obituary
I became acquainted with Chuck through his Masonic affiliations. He and I often talked about how to make the Fraternity better and more attractive to young men. Chuck was a good man and an excellent Mason, a credit to the Fraternity. My heartfelt sympathies to Lyn. and the Family. "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the Joy of Thy Lord". Richard G. Wheeler, P.M. Trufant Lodge #456.
Cdr. Chuck will always be in our hearts and memories. A dear friend.
Dear friends for 60 years! Chuck and Alan were both Navy pilots. Met Lyn at San Diego State as Navy wives. Serendipitously, found a rental house across the street from the Zilches in Norfolk, VA and shared baby sitting, hurricanes and Navy life. Robbie Alan is named after Alan Meader. Friends forever!
Dear Lyn and family, Our family enjoyed spending time with Chuck at game nights at church or Bible studies with Jim. Mitchell spent many hours at deer camp and helping Lyn and Chuck at the farm. Jonathan helped feed the horses a couple of times. And oh the stories that man could tell. My favorite memory will always be how he folded Jims flag at his funeral and gave it me. I felt so honored that he did that. He will be missed.
I knew Chuck's daughters from high school so I only had a chance to personally meet Chuck a handful of times, but that was enough to leave a lasting impression on me. He told me about flying jets, and once, while trying to land on an aircraft carrier, he had to ditch the plane in the ocean. He spent time in Antarctica. I just learned from his obituary that he was stationed in Iceland. To a teenager living in the farmlands of Montcalm County, Chuck was like some character in an adventure novel who just matter-of-factly stepped off the page. The few times that I visited the "Flying Z" farm, he and his wife Lyn were always kind and gracious. I seem to remember lots of book shelves; the fact that they had not one, but TWO, sets of encyclopedias impressed the heck out of me. This was obviously a family who valued knowledge and learning. It took me a couple more decades before I had 2 sets of encyclopedias under my roof (sadly, I tend to use Wikipedia a lot more nowadays, but that's how things go...). Over his 92 years on Earth, Chuck has touched the lives of many people; I am one of them. John Takao Collier
Loved working with Chuck at the Central Michigan Sportsman Club. He was so dedicated to his country. I enjoyed the many stories he shared and his constant consideration for others. He was a great man and will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sending love and light to the entire family! I only knew of Charles through his wonderful daughter, Karen Nadalin. She is smart, kind and a force to be reckoned with, so I can only imagine what a great dad he was. We will plaNt a tree in his mem ory. May he rest in hHis eternal peace.
Sending thoughts and prayers to the Zilch family. Rest easy Chuck and one final Fire Up Chips <3
To Lyn and all the family - my sincere condolences to you all. I knew Chuck less than Lyn and the girls (through 4-H), but he was warmhearted and cordial each and every time I saw him. He'll be fondly remembered. My heartfelt sympathy to you all.
