Charles Carpenter, age 93 of Monroe, died Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Neighbors Nursing Home in Byron, IL. He was born on September 24, 1918 in Palmyra, WI; the son of Lawrence and Mary (Holm) Carpenter. He graduated from Palmyra High School in 1936, where he perfected the two-handed set-shot in basketball.
He served in the U.S. Army during WW II as a sergeant for the 33rd Allied Interrogators and Interpreters in the Pacific Theatre, including the Phillipines, New Guinea, Guam and Japan. He witnessed the Japanese surrender on the U.S. Missouri, and was among the first units to occupy Japan afterwards.
Charles married Doris M. Rohovetz on June 14, 1952 in Muscoda, WI. He worked his entire career for the Milwaukee Road railroad, starting on the section with his father in 1932 when he was 14, then as a telegrapher and depot agent, with posts in Janesville, Milton Junction, Juda, Muscoda, Boscobel, Browntown and Monroe. He retired in 1978 but helped run the Wisconsin Central shortline railroad for several years thereafter. He was a member of St. Victors Parish, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and V.F.W.
He is survived by 4 children: Charles (Nancy) Carpenter Jr. of Wellsville, UT, Lawrence Carpenter of Hopkins, MN, Thomas (Julia) Carpenter of Plymouth, MN, and Mary Catherine (Mark) Rasmussen of Byron, IL; 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; and a sister, Pearl Grosskreutz of Palmyra, WI. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris in 2004, his parents, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Charles was a southern Wisconsin boy his entire life. He loved gardening, puttering in the yard, fixing things up and walking his Basset hounds. A good visit with most anyone - friend or stranger alike - was always a pleasure. He loved fishing, especially for bluegills or trout. He was an asparagus hunter in the spring, a berry picker in the summer, and a hunter in the fall. He especially loved rabbit and pheasant hunting with his hounds, squirrel hunting in the woods around Browntown, and he shot his last deer at the ripe old age of 86.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Monday, April 2, 2012 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Klarer, Celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. A visitation will be held Monday, from 10:00 am, until the time of service, at the Church. Shriner Hager Gohlke funeral home is assisting the family. Memorials may be given in Charles name to Monsignor Thomas Campion Charitable Fund.
He served in the U.S. Army during WW II as a sergeant for the 33rd Allied Interrogators and Interpreters in the Pacific Theatre, including the Phillipines, New Guinea, Guam and Japan. He witnessed the Japanese surrender on the U.S. Missouri, and was among the first units to occupy Japan afterwards.
Charles married Doris M. Rohovetz on June 14, 1952 in Muscoda, WI. He worked his entire career for the Milwaukee Road railroad, starting on the section with his father in 1932 when he was 14, then as a telegrapher and depot agent, with posts in Janesville, Milton Junction, Juda, Muscoda, Boscobel, Browntown and Monroe. He retired in 1978 but helped run the Wisconsin Central shortline railroad for several years thereafter. He was a member of St. Victors Parish, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and V.F.W.
He is survived by 4 children: Charles (Nancy) Carpenter Jr. of Wellsville, UT, Lawrence Carpenter of Hopkins, MN, Thomas (Julia) Carpenter of Plymouth, MN, and Mary Catherine (Mark) Rasmussen of Byron, IL; 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; and a sister, Pearl Grosskreutz of Palmyra, WI. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris in 2004, his parents, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Charles was a southern Wisconsin boy his entire life. He loved gardening, puttering in the yard, fixing things up and walking his Basset hounds. A good visit with most anyone - friend or stranger alike - was always a pleasure. He loved fishing, especially for bluegills or trout. He was an asparagus hunter in the spring, a berry picker in the summer, and a hunter in the fall. He especially loved rabbit and pheasant hunting with his hounds, squirrel hunting in the woods around Browntown, and he shot his last deer at the ripe old age of 86.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Monday, April 2, 2012 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Klarer, Celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. A visitation will be held Monday, from 10:00 am, until the time of service, at the Church. Shriner Hager Gohlke funeral home is assisting the family. Memorials may be given in Charles name to Monsignor Thomas Campion Charitable Fund.