Obituary of Charles Kirkpatrick

Charles Boniface ?Kirk? Kirkpatrick, 92, of 421 7th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids passed away July 5, 2012 at Wisconsin Rapids Nursing and Rehab. Funeral Mass will be at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1150 2nd Street North, Wisconsin Rapids on Monday July 9, 2012. Visitation will be from 9am until 11am with Funeral Mass at 11am. Father Sahayanathan Nathan will officiate. Entombment will be in the Forest Hill Mausoleum. Charles was born 21 June 1920 in Mead, Pennsylvania to Naomi and Eldred Kirkpatrick. His father owned a general store, gas station, and a large farm in Lakeland, Florida. In later years he told many interesting stories about growing up in the Great Depression. Charles proudly served in the US Army during World War II; November 19, 1940 until August 2, 1945 when he was honorably discharged. He was assigned to the 1st Observation Battalion, Battery A. He served in England, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany. He took part in the Battle of Anzio and jumped into Normandy in the hours before the D-Day invasion with the 82nd Airborne Division. He also served in the Battle of the Bulge. He received numerous commendations including the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, five battle stars, and French Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf. After the war Charles studied engineering on the GI Bill and married having two sons; Larry and Gerald. After divorcing, he lived in Washington D.C. owning an aluminum business and apartment buildings as well as training German Shepherds for the police department. He married again in 1959 having three children; Theresa, Charles, and Valerie. Later he operated a junk yard which, as he said, was one of the best times of his life. For decades Charles collected anything and everything saying, ?I might be able to use that one day.? As a truck driver, he met Marilyn Gust in 1980, marrying her on July 18, 1980. They had one son, Andrew, in 1984. Charles retired from owning his own semi-truck in 1985. Charles was a softhearted man who loved his children and his pets. He was well respected by all who met him due to his genuinely courteous and amicable nature. Charles is survived by his wife Marilyn; son Larry, Virginia; son Gerry, California; daughter Theresa (Izzy) Palatka, Florida; son Charles (Tammy) Gilbert, South Carolina; daughter Valerie (Linda Leslie) Leesburg, Indiana; son Andrew (Heather Grimm fiancé) Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; sister Mary Kirkpatrick Rhykerd, Matthews, North Carolina; brother James, Lakeland, Florida; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents and four half sisters; Opal Truitt, Versal Ware, Olive Brown, and Iva Bell Jolly. The family would like to thank all the friends and professionals for their dedicated care and support over the last few weeks.