Charles Oliver Chalker

Charles Oliver Chalker 4-12-30 – 3-11-18 Charles Oliver Chalker, aka Chuck, Chuckers, Papa, and Santa, passed away at his west Racine home on March 11th surrounded by the loud, loving family that meant more to him than anything in the world. Born near Binghamton, NY, to Gladys (Palada) and Charles Chalker, he enlisted in the United States Army after high school and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant following several tours of duty that included Okinawa during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge in 1953, he moved to Racine and took a job at Twin Disc in Shipping and Receiving, a career that lasted 30+ years and yielded numerous friendships. Chuck also took immense pride in a second career at Auto Werks in Racine, where co-workers lauded his abilities as the company’s Professional Driver for over 15 years. While every life has its defining moments, rarely are they directly attributable to a dirty load of laundry. However, in the early 1970s, Chuck met Elizabeth Prentice at a local laundromat and a romance bloomed; the couple was married at Grace Chapel Church on Oct. 14, 1972. Chuck believed happiness in this life was proportional to one’s compassion. He loved serving – his guests a delicious home cooked meal (typically Italian, always heavy on the garlic), and his community through a continuous variety of service. He spent 40+ years volunteering for the Girl Scouts of Racine County (he was honored with the Alverna B. Coffey Award, the organization’s highest volunteer honor), and 30+ years playing Santa at several local venues, most notably the Santa Chalet in West Racine and Educators Credit Union. If you ever read your Christmas list to a local St. Nick after 1980 or so, there’s a good chance you once sat on this man’s lap. Uncommon in the generosity of love he bestowed on those around him, Chuck was happiest when celebrating with family, holding a child, watching the Packers, pontooning on Pine Lake, or sitting on his patio, drinking a glass of red wine as the heat of a summer’s day slowly succumbed to the quiet, calm of night. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; their four children, Larry (Cindy Lou) Radcliff, Lon (Linda) Radcliff, Lori (Jim) Henderson, Lana (Pat) Krueske, and their nine grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren; brother-in-law John Prentice; sisters-in-law Bonnie Gast and Peggy Beckett; and nieces Ginger Rotunno, Gail Oleski, and Sharon Miele. He is Preceded in death by his parents Gladys (Palada) and Charles Chalker; sister Joyce Hinchley; Grandson Shane Radcliff; Father-in-law John Prentice; mother-in-law Margaret Prentice. Visitation will be Thursday, Mar. 15th, at Sturino Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m.; and Friday, Mar. 16th (visitation 9:30) before a celebration of Chuck’s life at 10:30 with Rev. Jennifer Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In 2014, Chuck took one of the most meaningful trips of his life – the Honor Flight with his son, Larry, flying to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the Wisconsin Stars and Stripes Honor Flight: http://www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org/donate/. Special Thank you to Dr. Paige Rackcliffe for her kindness and compassion for which we will be forever grateful. Also, to Hospice Alliance for their support during his final days.

Tributes

Charles Oliver Chalker

April 12, 1930 - March 11, 2018