Charles E. Walch, age 83 of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 26, 2011 due to an accident while driving his tractor on his farm. He was tragically taken from his family and friends; yet there can be some comfort found in knowing he passed while doing what he loved. Charlie was born March 25, 1928 in Remus, the son of William and Dorothy (Bush) Walch. He grew up farming on the family farm in Weidman and eventually made it into his career. On September 9, 1950 Charles married Donna Hillier in Angola, Indiana. Together they raised their family in the Remus and Big Rapids area, where he started his own family farm and livestock trucking business. Charlie was one to lead by example. He was a dedicated worker and believed you had to work hard for everything you get in life. He had a lot of self satisfaction and pride in his day to day life which included deer hunting, farming, his trucking business, family and his dogs: King, Pudger, Cindy and Angel. He enjoyed his friends and customers along with horse pulls, tractor pulls and Friday night fish fries with his wife. Among farming, Charles was a buyer and seller for Walch's Live Stock and Trucking and he also worked for the MacKersie Brothers' for many years. He will be greatly missed. Charles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna of Big Rapids; 4 children, Sheila (Hank) Lingle of Morley, David (Joni) Walch of Big Rapids, Mitchell (Lisia) Walch of Big Rapids and Nancy Walch-Snavley of Big Rapids; 8 grandchildren, Brian (Heather) Hillis, Sarah (John) Cassidy, Joshua (Monica) Walch, Charles (Megan) Walch, Katheryn Walch, Amber (Carl) Peters, Anthony Snavley and Austin Snavley; 5 great-grandchildren; a brother Desmer Walch of Hesperia; 3 sisters-in-law, Joyce Hillier of Sears, Ruth Walch of Hesperia and Emma Sisco of Lake; 2 brothers-in-law Lester Pheonix of Evart and Carl Hilliard of Cadillac and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his beloved sister Pearl Hilliard, son-in-law Dan Hillis, sister-in-law Evelyn Pheonix and brothers-in-law Virgil Sisco and Harold Hillier. The family will greet friends and family on Tuesday, August 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Funeral services will take place 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 31st at the Funeral Home with Charlie's nephew Raymond Sisco officiating. Interment will be at Pine Plains Cemetery in Big Rapids.