Charles Setter

Charles M. “Chuck/Charlie” Setter, 86, entered into eternal rest in the early morning hours of January 9th, 2026, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, after a very brief illness. He was 6 weeks shy of turning 87 years old.

Chuck was born February 19th, 1939, in Allegan, the son of Felix and Charlotte (Baugh) Setter. He was a lifetime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Allegan. He was also a Member of the Knights of Columbus #2515. He was very grounded in his Catholic faith which was very evident to his family.

There were many shenanigans to be had throughout his youth with his cousins Dick Levett, Tom Locatis, Max Hiscock and friends Mel Taylor, Terry Skoglund, Bill Austin, Dale Christman. Many of them occurred in the vicinity of Miner Lake.

He graduated from Allegan High School, class of 1956. After graduation, he was accepted and ready to attend Western Michigan University, to earn a degree in engineering. Just prior to the start of the school year, he decided that he was done with books and studying and never pursued that degree. He was a smart man and would prove to the world that he didn’t need that piece of paper.

He was united in holy matrimony to Helen J. Conley on February 8th, 1964, in Allegan.

In October of 1965, he became a first-time father to Tamra. Their second child, Teresa, was born in December of 1966 and their 3rd daughter, Cristine, joined the family in December of 1970.

Chuck was a mechanical genius and an amazing welder. Cars were his passion. Especially fast cars. He would diagnose and repair a number of car problems over the years, but his specialty was upgrading power and performance of any vehicle and building fast race motors. He had a hand in tuning a dragster, Corvette drag car, Mini-champ, his own Chevy II #411, at Berlin Raceway and Kalamazoo Speedway. His last racing venture was helping Jacob Caines with his racing career.

He was THE technical inspector at Kalamazoo Speedway during the ‘80s and ‘90s. He loved that job! He would pride himself on catching the “cheaters” and evicting them from the track. They would try to argue with him, but little did they know they never stood a chance.

He and his wife Helen, along with other family members and friends, established the Allegan County Snowmobile Club in 1973. Lots of love and hard work went into founding that organization.

Shortly after his retirement at age 49 from Rockwell International, Chuck bought and proudly restored a 1925 Rumley Oil Pull with some prodding from his son-in-law, Bill. He and Helen would travel to tractor shows for many years, enjoying all the old tractors, especially John Deer, and hanging out with their tractor friends. Sometimes the grandkids would hang out with them as well, riding on a tractor in the parade.

Chuck loved his family dearly including all his Pomeranians he had throughout the years. However, Ozzie, the first one, was his favorite. He loved animals, especially dogs and Tiger the Creech cat, who would come to him when he called him.

In his later years, he enjoyed attending Charlie and Annas’ soccer games. Those two were beasts on the field. He liked watching Will play baseball and traveling to Allegan Marching Band competitions for Will, Ben and Sam, with a couple trips to Ford Field!

He is survived by his wife, Helen of 61 years (1 month shy of 62), daughters Tamra (Bob) Mastenbrook, of Kalamazoo, Teresa (Bill) Creech, of Allegan and Cristine (Ron) Fisher of Kalamazoo. Siblings Kay Setter-Kline, of Portage, and Joan Kiefer, of Allegan. Grandchildren Benjamin Creech, Charlotte Creech, Will Croteau, Sam Croteau and Anna Mastenbrook. One sister-in-law, Wanda Conley and one brother in-law, Steve Wright. Many nieces and nephews, Kline, Shank and Kiefer, Conley, Jensen, Thompson, Kurtz, Remington, Peters, Pickin, Wright and Locatis families.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws W.E. and Shirley Conley, Bobby & Margaret Conley, Billie & Paul Jensen, Jimmy Conley, Anna Wright, Nancy & Tom Locatis as well as good friends Melvin Taylor and Bill & Sharon Abraham.

On Saturday, January 17th, we will celebrate Chuck’s life by praying the rosary at 10:30 am and offering a Mass in his memory at 11:00 am, both at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 110 N. Cedar Street, Allegan, MI 49010. Visitation and luncheon will follow at 12:30 pm at The Silo, 1071 32nd Street (M-40 South), Allegan. Cremation has taken place. A private internment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and in Chuck’s honor, the family has established the Charles Setter Automotive Trade School Scholarship through the Allegan County Community Foundation. This scholarship is for any senior of Allegan High School that is pursuing a career in the automotive repair industry after graduation.

If you would like to donate to the scholarship, click the link below.

Charles Setter Automotive Trade School Scholarship

If you would like to send a check, please use the address below:

Allegan County Community Foundation

112 Locust Street, Allegan, MI 49010

and write Charles Setter in the memo.