Charles R. Michaels, Jr.

Charles “Mike, Brother” R. Michaels, Jr., 75, Pinecroft, passed on to his Heavenly home with his family at his side after a brave 19 year struggle with cancer.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Charles R., Sr. and Ethel I. (Price) Michaels.

He married his high school sweetheart, Jessie R. (Wolfe) Michaels on August 1, 1969 at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Juniata by the Rev. J. Paul Taylor. He is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, his adorable puppy Piper Maple; two incredible sons and daughters-in-law: Charles R. “CR” and Lori Michaels, III of Altoona and Jason S. Michaels and Lynn Sherry; granddaughters: Eva Lynn and Kaitlyn Rose Michaels and grand dog, Lucy of Cranberry Township.

He is also survived by two sisters and their husbands: Mary and Tony Galdamez of Oceanside, CA and Karen and William McKinney of Altoona; in-laws, the Barroner and Wolfe families; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and very close friends: John Kelley, The Andersons, Beiswengers, Mary and Dennis McCarraher, and The Tipperys.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Donna Gottshall, Patty Gibson and Irene Root; and brothers-in-laws, John Gottshall and John Gibson.

Charles was a 1967 graduate of Altoona High School. He then completed a three year Journeyman Bricklayer Apprenticeship through Associated Builders and Contractors, graduating in their first class in 1970. After working construction for 22 years for local contractors, he was hired as the Mason-Plasterer for the Altoona School District where he had the privilege of working on many special projects such as restoring the original brown stone school’s cornerstone and constructing its monument, The Bell Tower at the Juniata Elementary School and the Herb Ferris monument at Mansion Park, to name a few. He retired in 2009 after 22 years of service.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, gardening, horseshoes, racing, Lionel Train collecting and traveling.

Above all he loved spending time with family, watching his granddaughters compete in sports and playing with his puppy Piper Maple.

Charles was a member of Juniata United Methodist Church, PSERS, Train Collectors of America, Logan Lodge # 490 Free and Accepted Masons, Mountain Royal Arch Chapter # 189 and the Bavarian Aid Society.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc., 719 N 4^th Avenue, Altoona. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Juniata United Methodist Church, 808 N 4^th Street, Altoona with Rev. Dr. Michelle Bodle officiating. Interment will be made at Blair Memorial Park, Antis Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or the Central PA Humane Society, 1837 E Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602.