Sandra Charron

Sandra Rose Charron was a strong, caring woman who loved hunting, fishing, dog sledding and gardening, but above all, she loved her family. Underneath her high energy, courageous and independent personality was a reservoir of strength, which those around her came to depend on. She was always thinking of others before herself-Sandra was both blessed by, and a blessing to those she loved.

From 1939 through 1945 the world was in a global conflict and it became known as World War II. The fight involved the majority of the world’s countries and was the most extensive, and expensive armed conflict in the history of the world. In 1944, Albert and Helen (Miskevics) Matson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota took their minds off the chaos of the world to focus on the blessing of their baby girl, Sandra Rose, born on July 23, 1944. Sandra’s father worked as an instructor for radio operators in the Army Air Corps during World War II, stationed in South Dakota. Her parents moved the family from South Dakota to Chicago and then after the war they settled into Grand Rapids, Michigan where Sandra and her younger brother Alan, both graduated from West Catholic High School.

Following in her father’s footsteps, after high school Sandra enlisted in the U.S. Navy and worked as a radio operator. She served during the Vietnam conflict and was stationed for two years in San Diego.

During her tour of duty she met and married Francis Wiegand and looked forward to beginning a new life with him. Sandra was discharged from the service 1968 when she and Francis welcomed their blessed child, David into their family. In 1969, after a short marriage, Francis was tragically killed in an auto accident, leaving Sandra with little, David to care for on her own. Sandra moved back to Grand Rapids and decided to work towards a bachelor’s degree in accounting, which she eventually earned after taking classes at Michigan State University and Aquinas College.

It was at Aquinas College that she met James Whalen. The two of them fell in love and married. Although the couple had a short relationship, Sandra was blessed with the births of her son, Michael in 1971 and daughter, Rebecca in 1973. In 1975, Sandra decided to mover her children near her grandparents in Irons. She was blessed with an opportunity to work from home as an accountant for Fenstemacher’s Fencing out of Grand Rapids, and worked for them until 1993. She then began working at St. Bernard Catholic Church as their bookkeeper for the next 10 years.

As a child, when Sandra visited her grandparents in Irons, she became friends with a young man named Albert Lucas, and as an adult they rekindled their friendship, which eventually turned to mutual love. Albert and Sandra married, however, Albert enriched her life for only a season before passing on. In time, while enjoying a social gathering with friends, Sandra met a kind and handsome gentleman, Lee Charron. That night Sandra locked herself out of the house and Lee chivalrously came to her rescue. It wasn’t long before the two of them fell deeply in love and on December 2, 1983, they were married in Baldwin. They celebrated their honeymoon by taking the children on a three week vacation out west, enjoying the sites and visiting places like, Yellowstone Park, Las Vegas and Disneyland.

Sandra was a loving and devoted mother, proud of her children’s accomplishments and committed to attending their baseball, football and basketball games. She never forgot her son, David’s excitement as they drove home from his first football meeting in Jr. High. He was reading the list of equipment needed when he got to athletic supporter. He turned to Sandra and proudly stated, "that’s your job," and she burst out laughing at his misunderstanding. She enjoyed her roll as a mother and although she had a lot of responsibilities, she tried to keep things upbeat at home by singing to her children each morning in her out of tune voice, "Grand Ole’ Flag" and "The Lord is Good to Me." She was a great mom, but lacked the ability to cook, so that put Lee in charge of meal times in the Charron home. Sandra’s favorite foods were asparagus, venison and ice cream, preferably butter pecan .

As far as school for the kids, she sent them to Manistee Catholic Central School, because she believed it was important for them to have a good Christian education.

To relax, Sandra enjoyed a good novel, but preferred doing almost anything outdoors, from gardening to hunting. She loved camping in the Upper Peninsula which provided the opportunity to hunt, fish and drive dog-sled. She found great pleasure in the raising and breeding of Samoyed sled dogs, as well as being a member of the Michigan Musher’s Club. Sandra had a seven member dog team that she drove around the Irons area, and in the Upper Peninsula-Calumet Area. Opening day of deer season was one of Sandra’s favorite days and she could sit in the cold woods for hours waiting for an opportunity to shoot a deer. She loves the story her son, Michael tells about how there was a deer only 50 yards away from him that he was aiming at before his mother shot it from 300 yards back. She also hunted squirrels, raccoons and rabbits as well as trapped Muskrats and Minks. Sandra’s favorite fishing spot was out of her pond in the company of her grandchildren, or smelt dipping in the Paradise area of the Upper Peninsula .

Grandchildren were such blessings for Sandra and one of her goals before her death was to see the births of Michael’s twins. Sandra was very close to her parents all her life, and she desired to be a wonderful parent as well. For a few years she and Lee were foster parents, and she also stayed busy being the accountant for FiveCAP in Baldwin, which eventually led to her being appointed director for two years.

Although Sandra’s days on earth were too few, she lived a full life and was a vibrant and energetic soul with boundless love for her family. She will be deeply missed.

Sandra died Thursday, June 2, 2005 at her cottage on Big Bass Lake in Irons surrounded by her family. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Lee, her children David (Beth) Wiegand of Royal Oak, Michael (Jeannette) Whalen of Irons, Rebecca (Brad) Whalen of Grand Rapids, her grandchildren Lynette Glinski, Erika Wood, Richelle Whalen, Lyric Wiegand, Shelby Carver, Michaela Whalen, and Emmitt and Garrett Whalen. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Alan, and her husbands Francis Wiegland, and Albert Lucas. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Stephen’s Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Sandra at 1:00 PM on Monday, June 6 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Irons with Monsignor Walter Jude, and Rev. Dennis O’Donnell as con-celebrants. Burial with honor guard services will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Irons. The Rosary will be prayed for Sandra at 6:00 p.m.on Sunday evening at the funeral home. Please visit Sandra’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, or make a memorial contribution.to the American Cancer Society.