Charles Zernow of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. He was 80 years old.

Charles was born in December 14, 1929, in Vineland, New Jersey and graduated from Vineland High School. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and received a master's degree from Wharton School of Finance.

After graduation he joined Ford Motor Company. His career was interrupted in 1953 when he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged after two years of active duty and six years in the Army Reserve. After active duty he returned to New Jersey and continued his career with Ford. He retired in 1992 after 40 years of service.

Charles is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Joyce; their sons Doug (Merilyn Ueno), of Traverse City, Michigan and Gary (Debbie), of Austin, Texas; his sister Olga Zernow, of Vineland; grandchildren Michael Zernow of Washington D.C. and Toni Rich of Austin; niece Patty Olvera of Santa Ana, California, and nephew George North Jr. of New York City

He was preceded in death by his father, Michael, and mother, Nadezda; his brother, Nicholas; his nephew, Michael Lee; and his mother-in-law, Evelyn Frame.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 28 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Boakes Funeral Home, in Mays Landing. Burial will take place Wednesday, September 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Siloam Cemetery in Vineland.

Memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

I've lived a life that's full,
Traveled each and every highway,
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.