Charles Valitchka Sr., 75 of Peshtigo passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, with family be his side.
Born April 6, 1948, to John “Jack” and Naomi (Pennell) Valitchka in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he married Kathryn Golden in L’Anse, Michigan on September 25, 1971.
He worked many jobs in his life from Karguard, Steenberg Homes, Montex and finally retiring from Fincanteri Marinette Marine in 2018. However, the job he had the most stories about was from his years working for Skerbeck Carnival. It was at this job that he met Kathryn. Charles served his country as a SeaBee in the Navy Reserve and also took time to volunteer for Town of Peshtigo fire department and for the rescue squad.
Charles never met a stranger and would talk to everyone that crossed his path. He truly had the gift of gab. There was no need to hold up your end of the conversation because he wouldn’t let you get a word in if you tried. He was a lover of woodworking and tinkering with the yard and yard equipment. He’d leave his son and sons-in-law shaking their heads wondering what he was thinking when it came to his many “improvements”.
His children will fondly remember him as the man who would fish for hours as they caught one bullhead after another and patiently remove every one and bait the hook again and again for them, bringing home gumballs and leaving them in his lunch box for them to find on Saturday morning when they woke, taking the sandwich to work they made for him and laughing about how they didn’t know the difference between lettuce and cabbage and not murdering his son for cutting down his beloved maple tree with a hatchet.
Charles is survived by his children: Bridget (Jim) Schaetz, Marria Valitchka, both of Peshtigo, Jenny (Derek) Watson of Porterfield, and Charles (Angie) Valitchka of Marinette; grandchildren, Olivia Schaetz, Tyler (Mallory) Schaetz, James Schaetz, Anthony Schaetz, Dustin Schaetz, Brandy (Hunter) Kuffel, Karissa Valitchka, Jacob Watson, Marly Watson, Marissa Graese and Noah Nelson; one great-granddaughter, Maeve Kuffel; and a brother, John (Sue) Valitchka.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy; and sisters, Mary LaBlanc and AnnDale Serres.
Family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, March 14th at Berth and Rosenthal Funeral Home from 2:00 pm until time of memorial services at 5:00 pm. Burial with military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 15th at Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Marinette.
The family would like to thank Rennes Health Center West and Unity Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion shown to Charles.
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