Charles E. Stempler, Jr., 86, Union Grove, died Oct. 15, 2012, at Memorial Hospital of Burlington.
He was born Jan. 28, 1926, to the late Charles Sr. and Martha (Meyer) Strempler, in Chicago.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946 as a radio man. He achieved the rank of sergeant and earned the Battle Star and the Good Conduct Medal for his service. He supported his family as the owner of a tavern.
He married June Ridel on April 14, 1973. She preceded him in death.
He was a member of the Union Grove and Kansasville VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed Packer’s football and was an avid TV watcher. His hobbies included watch repair, guns, and woodcarving. He was known for combining his hobbies by hand-carved replicas of guns. He was once the State Trap Shooting Champion.
Survivors include his children, Jean Lonze, Jim (Carol) Strempler, Joanne Peterson, and Charles J. (Beth) Strempler; grandchildren, Jamie, Jenny, Shawn, Shane, Patrick, Michelle, Uma, and Mani; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Susan (Terry) Evans.
He was further preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Strempler; and sisters, Eleanore Gitzlaff and Lillian Wheeler.
Visitation is Saturday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Miller-Reesman Funeral Home, 620 15th Ave., Union Grove. Full military honors will be presented at 2:15 p.m.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the American Lung Cancer Association.
