Charles E. Utecht, age 83, of Merrill, died Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Charles was born December 31, 1926, in Merrill, son of the late Edward and Tillie (Emanuel) Utecht. He married Joann Woller on October 3, 1953, in the Town of Berlin. She survives. At the time of his retirement, Charles was the Shipping Supervisor at the former Ward Paper Company, Merrill. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, and was currently a member of the Men’s Club. He had previously served as an Elder at the church, and had also served on the Board of Education. Charles was a member of the “Old Timers Club”, and was a charter member of the former Merrill Barbershop Chorus. Charles was also a member of the Merrill Silver “M” Club, and he had also earned his Golden “M”. He enjoyed golfing and bowling on Monday’s with his fellow retired friends. Charles was a veteran of World War II. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force and had been stationed in Naples, Italy. He was a member of the VFW.
Survivors include his wife, Joann Utecht, of Merrill; one daughter, Debra (John) Matuszak, of Merrill; two sons, Steven Utecht, of Wausau, and Tim (Lisa) Utecht, Jacksonville, Florida; four grandchildren, Krista (Scot Ward) Mensching, St. Louis, Missouri, Jenna (Todd) Hanson, Hewitt, and Ben and Rachel Utecht, Jacksonville; two great-grandchildren, Cole and Callie Hanson of Hewitt; one sister, Lois (Warren) Weckwerth, of Merrill; two sisters in law, Mavis Voelz and Carol (Donald) Kopplin, both of Merrill; and one brother in law, Vernon (Ethel) Woller, Merrill.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 3, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. R. Brian Stolarczyk will officiate. Entombment will take place in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau, with Military Rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 10:00 A.M. Friday at the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com