Ishpeming – Charlotte H. Richards, age 86 of 707 N. Pine St. Ishpeming passed away on Saturday February 2, 2008 at the Marquette General Hospital where she was admitted earlier that day.

Charlotte was born August 22, 1921 the daughter of the late Anthony and Lorna (Alderton) Lofaro. Charlotte was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1939, and was a lifelong Ishpeming resident. She married Robert E. Richards on Sept. 6, 1941 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong member. Charlotte's greatest passion in life was her family, always enjoying her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren's events. She worked for several years as a sales clerk for Stein Clothiers in Ishpeming.

Charlotte was a member of the Paisano Club, two separate ladies Bridge Clubs, and was active in the Negaunee Pinochle League, which she and her husband were instrumental in starting. Charlotte enjoyed playing cards, crossword puzzles, watching football games, especially the Green Bay Packers and the U of M, even going to the point of keeping stats on the players, coaches, and teams.

Survivors include her husband Robert E. Richards of Ishpeming, 4 children – James R. (Sheila) Richards of Marquette, Suzanne (Barry) Luchs of Venice, FL, Gerald (Sandra) Richards of Fairbanks, AK, and Michael (Kathy) Richards of Negaunee, 2 sisters – Janet (Jack) Boase of Ishpeming and Peggy (Ron) Verch of Clare, MI, a sister-in-law Martha Lofaro of Ishpeming, 8 grandchildren – Lisa (Scott) Ely, Eric Luchs, Jeremy (Beth) Richards, Michael (Paula) Richards, Bradley (Mary) Richards, Kristi Richards, Cory Richards and Michelle Kronner, along with her granddaughter-in-law Naomi Richards, 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson Tracy Richards, a brother George Lofaro and a sister Marjorie Hamari.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:00 pm on Thursday February 7, 2008 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

The family will greet friends and relatives from 3:00pm until the time of services on Thursday at St. John's Catholic Church.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, and a great grandson Garner Richards.

Memorials may be directed to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Memorial Fund, 325 S. Pine St., Ishpeming, MI 49849 in Charlotte's memory.