Charles D. Cronenworth's Obituary
Charles D. Cronenworth, age 87 of St. Clair died Saturday, May 2, 2009. Charles was born August 7, 1921 in Mohawk, Michigan to the late Jacob and Margaret (Therrien) Cronenworth. Charles was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant having served in the US Marine Corp during WW II. He graduated from Michigan Tech University in 1944 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and was a Registered Professional Engineer. Charles married Lorraine DeBruyne on May 18,1946. He began his professional career as a Design Engineer with Chrysler Corporation from 1946-47. He then was a Project Engineer with General Foods from 1947-50. In 1950 he became the Plant Manager for Diamond Crystal Salt, St. Clair, until 1968. From 1968 until 1975 he was the General Manager of Production, and from 1975 until retiring in 1985 he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. In 1986 he and his son Charles co-founded Mohawk Plastics, Inc., Marine City, MI, and served as Chairman until his second retirement in 1996. Charles was a board member of the former Commercial and Saving Bank, St.Clair, Maritek Worldwide Protein in the Bahamas, and Diamond Crystal Salt. He served the City of St. Clair as a Councilman from 1955-58 and as Mayor from 1962-63. His memberships included the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, serving as the Alternate Director from 1958-62, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the National Association of Manufacturers. He was past President of the St. Clair Rotary Club, and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Clair. Charles was a President’s Club Member at Michigan Technological University. In 1976 Michigan Tech presented him with the Silver Medal Award and in 1978 he was inducted into the MTU Engineering Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife Lorraine, son Charles E. Cronenworth, daughters Carol Todd, Linda (Kenneth) Meade, and Mary (Robert) Deneweth. Grandchildren Melissa Connell, Kelly Cavanaugh, Jessica Deneweth and Charles and Jacob Cronenworth, great grand children Nicholas, Morgan and Chase. his sisters June Melaragni and Laverne Vranesich. Charles was preceded in death by siblings, William, Ruth and Doris. Visitation Tuesday from 2-7 PM at the L.C. Friederichs & Son Funeral Home, St. Clair, with scripture service at 6 PM in the funeral Home In state Wednesday from 9:30 till 10 AM when mass will be said at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials to the Friends of St. Mary''s School, care of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County
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