Charmaine Alice Ignasiak (Chicky)

March 12, 1929 - August 23, 2020

Charmaine Alice Ignasiak (Chicky) age 91, peacefully passed away on the morning of Sunday, August 23, 2020. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Thomas Edward Ignasiak of 39 years. Charmaine was a 1947 graduate of Union High School and remained as the school secretary for several years. After moving to Champaign, Illinois when Tom was transferred by American Seating Company in 1966, Charmaine worked as the Religious Education Secretary at St. Matthews Parish and assistant Parish secretary, was active with Mercy Hospital Auxiliary in the Resale Shop and editor of their Cheery Chatter Newsletter. The University of Illinois made her an honorary Alumni and she was an avid Illini fan! Upon returning to Grand Rapids in 1980 she was Religious Education Secretary at St. Anthony’s until she retired at the young age of 80. Charmaine and Tom served as ushers and hospitality members at St. Anthony’s parish where she guided the Grief Support Group for several years and also was a wedding consultant. She took pride in her role as queen mother of her Red Hat Society. She is survived by her six daughters Kathleen (David) Gole, Susan (Douglas) Schuemann, Kristine (Randy) Taylor, Kimberly Ignasiak, Melanie (Mike) Napoleon and Gina Kwapis; her six grandchildren Amy (Jason) Austin, Mark (Emily) Gole, Rebecca Gole, Dusty (Mary) Napoleon, Dillon (Bethany) Napoleon and Sydney Kwapis; step granddaughter Alissa (David) Tyrolt, nine great grandchildren Nicholas and Allison Klimek, Emma and Mason Gole, Knox and Mays Napoleon, Evelyn, Cora and Margot Napoleon; her sister Betty Socha, step grandchildren George, Anna and Frank Tyrolt and in-laws Jim (Karen) Heidenga, Ron Jermanski, Marlene Lemmink, Sharon (Grant) Young and many loving nieces, nephews and special friends. Also preceding Charmaine in death were her parents Charles and Mildred Chicky; siblings Gloria (Don) Schanz, Marilyn (Norm) Huber, Charles (Pat) Chicky, and Carol Heidenga; her in-laws Louis and Phyllis Ignasiak; Barbara Jermanski, Casey Lemmink, David Socha and step grandson Charles Tyrolt. At this time a private family funeral will be held. It will be live streamed @ www.saparish.com on Thursday August 27, 2020 starting at 11:00 am. A celebration of Charmaine’s life will be scheduled in the future when we can all be together safely. The family would like to thank her many caregivers for the loving care they gave our mother. In lieu of flowers, Charmaine has requested contributions to RettSyndrome.org for love of her granddaughter, Rebecca (Becky) Gole either online or by mail at 4600 Devitt Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45246.