Surnames: Florence, Berger, Gehrke, Dimler, Reecher, Maddux

----Source: Loyal TRG 16 April 2008

Florence, Charles B. #2 (10 APR 1923 - 11 APR 2008)

Charles B. Florence, 85, Loyal, died on Friday, April 11, 2008, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Loyal. The Rev. Daniel Zimmerman officiated. Burial followed at the Sherwood Cemetery, town of Sherwood. Pallbearers were Chad Fischer, Tom Spuhler, Scott Dimler, Chuck Dimler, Mark Florence and Gary Florence. Honorary pallbearers were Lila Thorson, Cliff Thorson, Tracy Fischer and Sharon Spuhler.

Charles Berger Florence was born on April 10, 1923, in Milwaukee, to George and Rose (nee Berger) Florence. He was raised near Nasonville until the age of 3, then his family moved to the town of Sherwood where they bought a farm. He served in the U.S. Army during WWll. After his discharge, he returned home and worked at the Nekoosa Paper Mill and Stebbens Engineering Company. He married Geraldine E. Gehrke on Aug. 6, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Marshfield. The couple bought a farm in the town of Sherwood, where he farmed and also worked at Roddis Manufacturing, Marshfield.

Immanuel Lutheran church in Marshfield, Wisconsin

They later bought a farm near Loyal, where Charlie farmed and worked at Marshfield Homes. They sold the farm in 1970, and moved to Loyal. He continued to work for Marshfield Homes until retiring after 23 years of employment. After retiring, Charlie drove school bus for Dahl’s bus service and mowed lawns well into his 70’s. He resided in Loyal until his death. He was known for his outgoing personality and ability to make friends. His positive attitude kept him going through the years of declining health. He enjoyed beating his family playing cards and was well known for being frugal and hunting for bargains. Charlie was close to several of the former students he drove on the bus route and enjoyed seeing his many nieces and nephews, to which they referred to him as "the unc." He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Loyal, and the Loyal American Legion Post 175. He had many interests, but especially enjoyed playing cards, woodworking and traveling to Texas to visit his son.

Survivors include his wife, Geraldine, Abbotsford; one son, Ken Bennett, Dallas, Texas; and one sister, Betty Dimler, Readfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, George Florence, Jr.; and two sisters, Martha Reecher and Rose Maddux.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.