Charles C. Block


March 15, 1917 – Nov. 9, 2010

Charles C. Block of Waukesha died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at Angels-Grace in Oconomowoc at the age of 93. He was born March 15, 1917, in Curtiss, the son of Charles and Alice (nee Fischer) Block, a.k.a Bloch.

After graduating from Maine Township High School in Des Plaines, Ill., he attended Northwestern University, where he majored in business and accounting, played in the university marching band and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Charles was very active in the youth group at the Congregational Church in Des Plaines, which is where he met his future wife, Helen Blain. After his graduation from college in 1938, he and Helen were married in Des Plaines on March 2, 1940.

In their early married years, they lived in various places, including northern Minnesota, Indianapolis and Peoria, Ill., before settling in Waukesha near Oconomowoc, where his folks lived. He worked for Dale Chevrolet, HUSCO and Kuettner Oldsmobile, retiring in 1982. He was very active in his church, First Congregational United Church of Christ in Waukesha, for 55 years, serving as deacon, treasurer for many years, moderator, choir member and SE Association treasurer from 1983 to 1995. He was also involved in Junior Achievement, Noon Lions Club and Boy Scouting. He enjoyed sports, especially swimming and baseball. He and Helen loved to travel starting in 1953 with camping trips out west and to Florida with his young family, and numerous trips to Europe, Canada and Great Britain with just the two of them. Family trips continued throughout his life to the mountains, Florida, Canada and the Upper Peninsula.

He loved being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he was loved by all of them. We loved being around him, too. He was always patient and nonjudgmental and a faithful and generous friend. He was always there for us. We will miss his shining example of how to live life and love God, family and friends. Charles was a very faith-filled person who touched everyone who knew him. He was gentle, soft-spoken and a true gentleman who always had a smile and a good word for everyone. He made many friends at Oak Hill Terrace, where he made his last home. We thank them for their care and love. He was brave and courageous right to the end.

Charles is survived by his children, Karl (Rose) Block, Sally Morris and Susan (Glenn) Frank; grandchildren, Andrew Block and Charles Block of Florida, Jennifer Block of California, David, Daniel (Stephanie), Kate and Jon Block of Neenah, Heath Fedder of California, Hannah (Chris) Timmel of Ixonia, Kelley (John) Piasecki of Watertown and Erin (Ryan) Fandre of Waukesha; and great-grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Ashlynne and Zachary Block, Andrew and Robert Ferguson, Calvin Timmel, Samuel, Haley and Elijah Piasecki, and Charles and Norah Fandre, and two on the way. He is further survived by his aunt, who was like a sister to him, Margaret Malsbury.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; son-inlaw, Fred Fedder; and great-granddaughter, Anna Piasecki.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. memorial service Wednesday, Nov. 17, at First Congregational Church, 100 E. Broadway, Waukesha, WI 53186.

Memorials may be made to the church (address above) or to AngelsGrace Hospice, W359-N7430 Brown St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave an online tribute.