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of Chelsea, age 75, died Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at his home. He was born March 16, 1939 in Ann Arbor,  the son of Donald McClure & Margaret Josephine “Peg”  (Welch) Silkworth.


 Charlie graduated from Roosevelt High School in Ypsilanti and earned his Bachelors Degree in marketing from Ferris State Institute.  In 1955 he went to Germany and participated in one of the first exchange student programs for "Youth for Understanding".   He worked with his father at DM Silkworth Distributors, and owned several businesses, starting with “Silkworth Tire” in Ypsilanti, and later added a tire and John Deere Dealership in Napoleon.  In his retirement, he drove a school bus in Suttons Bay.  When he returned to Washtenaw County, he spent over10 years as a Realtor in the Chelsea area, most recently with the Charles Reinhart Company.   Charlie loved people and telling stories, and all of his careers revolved around helping others.  He attended the Chelsea Church of the Nazarene, and was a former member of the Ypsilanti Presbyterian Church, Ypsilanti JayCees, and the Chelsea Rotary Club.  Charlie was one of the founding organizers of the Regatta Races on Ford Lake.


Charlie is survived by his wife, Kay Janet (Bordine) whom he married on February 7, 1959 in New York NY at the Church of the Transfiguration “the Little Church Around the Corner”. Other survivors include five children, Donald McClure II “Mick” (Barb), Jeffrey (Melanie), Michael, Suzanne (Jim) Bates, and Jon; a sister, Mary Silkworth; 9 grandchildren, Roberta “Bobbi”, Charrissa “Charrli”(Shaun) Dobie, Thomas, Emily, Katelyn “Katie”, Wesley, Dustin, Danielle “Danny”, and Bailey; 2 great-grandchildren, Gregori Charles and Alexander McClure; two nephews and a niece, Thomas “TJ”, Kathleen, and Jonathan.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Thomas; and 3 children, Charles, Suzette, and Kristy Ann.


A memorial service was held  Saturday, Nov. 22, 11:00 am at Chelsea Church of the Nazarene,  with Rev. Jeff Crowder officiating.  The family received friends at the church Friday 2-4 & 6-9 pm.  A private burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manchester.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Club of Chelsea or the Chelsea Church of the Nazarene.   Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.

Click here to view or sign Charlie's online guestbook.