Molitor, Charles John 11/28/1919 – 3/5/2016 Kalamazoo Born November 28, 1919 in Chicago, IL, the son of Charles F. and Eva (Weber) Molitor. Chuck graduated from Tilden Technical High School in Chicago. After graduation he served his apprenticeship and became a certified tool and die mold maker. He was a WWII veteran, having served in the Navy as a machinist mate first class on the U.S.S. Pine Island AV-12 in the Pacific theater. The Pine Island and its crew were awarded the Navy Battle Star for air sea rescue operations at Okinawa. Chuck was a pioneer in the mold making and plastic molding industries in Kalamazoo. He was the founder and co-owner of Mol-Bee, Inc., Pan-O-Grav, Inc., Plastic Engineering Inc., and Moark-Mold, Inc. of Poplar Bluff, MO. He was a founding member of the Kalamazoo chapter of the Society of Plastic Engineers. Among his proudest achievements of many was the establishment of the first U.S. Department of Labor certified Tool and Die Mold Making Apprenticeship program in the State of Michigan. Always a strong advocate of vocational and technical education, he served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the construction of the new Kalamazoo Central High School in the 1960s. Prior to his own business ventures he was Master Mechanic and Plant Manager of Allen Electric Company in Kalamazoo, Manufacturing Department Manager of Mechanical Products, Inc. in Jackson, MI., Chief Industrial Engineer of Electro-Voice Products in Buchanan, MI., and Kal-Equip Company of Otsego, MI. Chuck served on the Board of Directors of Clausing Corporation from 1978 until 1981. Chuck loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. In retirement he split much of his time between his residences in Minnesota and Florida, pursuing his favorite pastimes. Chuck was a long time, active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving numerous terms as a member of the church council. He was a member of Masonic Boulevard Lodge No. 882 AF&AM in Chicago, VFW Post 4054 in Marcellus, MI., the Exchange Club of Kalamazoo, Lions International, and the Tilden Tech Alumni Association, which inducted him into its Hall of Fame in recognition of his professional achievements and support of technical and vocational education. In June, 1942 Charles was married to Virginia Engstrom at Atonement Lutheran Church in Chicago. Virginia preceded him in death in April, 2011. He is survived by 3 sons: Charles J. II, Ronald A. (Joan) and Gerard J. (Kathy); as well as 9 grandchildren: Matt (Michelle) Molitor, Derek (Joanna Parzakonis) Molitor, Christine (Chad) Tarpley, Erin (Mark) Sutherland, Shawn (Mandy) Molitor, Stephanie (Mike) Lampros, Melanie Molitor, Laura (Shawn) Oldberg, Charles J. Molitor III; and 15 great grandchildren. Charles John Molitar died Saturday, March 5, 2016 in Kalamazoo. Family and friends will visit on Friday, March 11, 2016 from 4-8 PM at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (269-375-2900). Services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Ave., with Rev. Ken Johnson and Rev. Jake Lehman officiating. Entombment with full military honors will be at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church. Please visit Chuck’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of him and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. – See more at: http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=177969667#sthash.eFkiSMoe.dpuf