Fennimore, WI-Charles “Chuck” F. Schrader, age 85, died on Thursday morning May 7, 2015 at Good Samaritan Society in Fennimore. Charles was born on Aug. 14, 1929 in Dodgeville the son of Charles F. & Vera (Witzig) Schrader. He was united in marriage to Joann Macke on June 5, 1954 in Lancaster.
Chuck graduated from Livingston High School in 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Nov. 1950. He served 25 months in Naples, Italy as an aviation radioman. He flew in transport planes in the Mediterranean area. Charles returned to the U.S. in Jan. 1954 where he was stationed at Patuxent River, MD, and received an honorable discharge in Sept. of 1954. Chuck farmed in Clifton Township for 39 years until he retired. He then worked nights at the Fennimore Foods Meat Dept. and worked as a custodian at the Southwest Library System and the Methodist Church. He also worked at Lands’ End in Dodgeville for numerous years. Chuck liked to read, history, crossword puzzles, card games, trivia, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Charles loved his Cubs, Fords, and John Deere tractors. He was an avid member of the Fennimore United Methodist Church (where he held numerous church positions), Southwest Beef Co-op, Grant County Pork Producers, and the Fennimore American Legion. Chuck’s wonderful sense of humor, his “tell it like it is” nature, and his quick-witted one-liners were admired but his devotion to his wife, children, and grandchildren will be cherished forever.
Charles is survived by his beloved wife Joann of nearly 61 years, 4 children: Dave (special friend Tami Bollant) of Stitzer, John (Nadine) of Fennimore, James “Maynard” (special friend JoDeanna Schroeder) of Fennimore, Carol Ann Spahn of Waunakee, 11 grandchildren: Amy Jo (Chad) Whitford of Mineral Point, Jen (Fiancé Don Laufenberg) of Blue Mounds, Lori Beth (Tyler) Schulz of Stoddard, Katie (special friend Tyler Staskal) of Fennimore, Paula (Steve) Arnold of Appleton, Pam (Ben) Fenhouse of Neenah, Angela (Luc) Hardy of Fennimore, Jamey and Jackie Schroeder of Dodgeville, and Marissa and Josh Spahn of Waunakee.
He was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren: Will Straka, Nora Whitford, Aniyah Laufenberg, Addison Arnold, and Madelyn Hardy. He will be greatly missed by his special cat Merlin, along with 2 sister-in-laws, 1 brother-in-law, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Jack, mother and father-in-law Elma and Maynard Macke, and son-in-law Ron Spahn.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 11, 2015 at the Fennimore United Methodist Church. Burial to follow with Military Honors at the Ebenezer Cemetery in Wingville Township. Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 P.M. on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the church on Monday morning.