Charles Bazata, 84, died on May 28, 2010 at the Hospice House after a prolonged illness.
Charlie was born on April 20, 1926 in Chicago. He was the only child of Charles and Bozena (Vlk) Bazata, immigrants from Czechoslovakia.
He graduated from Crane Tech High School at age 16 and enlisted at age 17 in the Naval Air Corps. He graduated as an ensign and transferred to the Marines until the war ended in 1945. After the war, he became a student on the G.I. Bill at Michigan State and graduated in sociology.
He began a career as a counselor at the state prison in Jackson, joined the Army Reserve and worked until he was called up for service in Korea in a medical unit.
When he returned, he married Jo Ann Bohannon on Dec. 17, 1953. They had four children: Catherine, Todd, Bonnie and William.
He had a distinguished 32-year career working at the Michigan Department of Corrections.
After military service, he returned to the prison and later became assistant director at the Camp Cassidy Lake Minimum Security Prison. He then became a parole and probation officer, serving first in Berrien and then in Cass County. Among his many accomplishments, he began the first support group for prison inmates, established a two-county probation center, founded the Southwestern Michigan Association of Law Enforcement Officers and organized a statewide Michigan Association of Correctional Field Agents which fought for and won additional pay and protections for hundreds of field agents.
Charlie was very active in the community, serving on many boards and organizations including the County Health Department, Township Planning Committees, Jail Construction Committee and the Community Relations Advisory Board, as well as environmental efforts.
He was an avid follower of politics, an eloquent speaker, a frequent writer of editorials and helped start a Great Decisions chapter at the Cass County Council on Aging.
He loved to golf, garden, listen to jazz music, watch films and read nonfiction – particularly books on World War II and contemporary politics.
Charlie is survived by his wife; four children; a son-in-law, Kerry Jones; a granddaughter, Allison Tucker; her husband, Adam Springer; and a great-granddaughter, Addison Springer.
The memorial service will be Saturday, June 5 at 2 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church of Cassopolis followed by a coffee and dessert in the fellowship hall.
Memorials may be given to the Cass County Council on Aging (60525 Decatur Rd., Cassopolis, MI 49031) or United Presbyterian Church of Cassopolis (209 East State St., Cassopolis, MI 49031).
Connelly Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.