Charles Edward Fink, 88, passed away September 15, 2020 at St. Mary's Medical Center after a 2.5-year battle with leukemia.

Charlie was born June 30, 1932 in Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana. In 1942, he moved to Solon Springs with his parents Julius (Judy) and Katie along with his brother Robert. He graduated from Solon Springs High School in 1950.

A few months after graduation he joined the Navy and served from 1950- 1954 as a torpedoman on the U.S.S. Carp during the Korean War. He was very proud of his military service. After an honorable discharge he worked in California before returning to Solon.

On December 15, 1956, he married Donna Jean Noonan in Superior. Charlie worked a variety of jobs before and during his career as a deputy for the Douglas County Sheriff's Department until his retirement.

Charlie and Donna lived in Solon Springs until December 2018 when they moved to Cedar Ridge Assisted Living in Superior. Charlie enjoyed gardening and tending his flowers, painting, woodworking, photography, watching the Packers and Exeland Braves baseball team, fishing trips to Canada, and coffee at KD's with the guys.

Charlie and Donna enjoyed many years of travel: to Florida for a month during winter as well as to attend submarine reunions across the United States. They made many lifelong friends on their trips across the country.

Charlie was a member of the Pioneer Parish Presbyterian Church of Solon Springs and a proud member of the American Legion Post 499 in Gordon, WI.

Charlie is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Donna, his children Jeanine (Dave Maenner) of Eau Claire, WI, Michael (Linda Trepanier) of Lakeville, MN, Renee (Dave) Vaara of Medford, WI and 12 grandchildren, as well as many friends, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert.

The family would like to thank all the care provided by Cedar Ridge along with the doctors and nurses in the oncology department at Essentia Health in Duluth. Charlie still displayed his teasing nature until his passing. We would also like to thank special neighbors LeRoy, Becky, Scott, and Jen for all the lawn mowing and snow removal as well as a special friend C-VO.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to American Legion Post 499 in memory of Charlie (14388 Finstad Ln, Gordon, WI 54838). There will be a visitation on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 from 12-2 at the Solon Springs Funeral Home. A short service will be held at 2:30 at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI.

Last Update: Sep 21, 2020 10:02 am CDT