Obit: Counsell, Charles Edward (1936 - 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Counsell, Wilke, Suelflow, Mellin, Kurutz, Schuettpelz, Raebel

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/11/2017

Counsell, Charles Edward (19 September 1936 – 1 January 2017) With Flag

Charles Edward Counsell of Neillsville passed away Jan. 1, 2017. He was born Sept. 19, 1936, to Marvin J. Counsell and Helen (Wilke) Counsell. After graduating from Casmir Pulaski High School in Milwaukee, he enlisted in the United States Army and served at the Engineer Depot, France, from 1955 to 1957. Following the United States Army, he attended Marquette University.

In 1959, he married Dorothy Suelflow. They had two children – a son, Jon, married to Julie, and a daughter, Jill, married to Rob Schuettpelz. His marriage to Dorothy ended in 1987. His second marriage was with Marlene Mellin. He later married Mary Kurutz in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his two children and his grandchildren, Kate, and Andrey Schuettpelz as well as numerous nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Helen, and Marvin Counsell, his sister Joan Raebel and brother David Counsell.

As someone who could never sit still, he started his working career with numerous odd jobs, with his first steady job as a truck driver for United Parcel Service. In 1969, with then wife, Dorothy, his sister Joan Raebel and brother-in-law Richard Raebel, he formed Rae-Con Farms and raised veal calves. The business grew, raising over 6,000 calves per year. When the veal business took a downturn in the early 1980s, Charlie returned to truck driving, putting on millions of miles “over the road.”

Tiring of the road, he switched gears and purchased the “Cozy Kitchen” restaurant in Neillsville. After operating the restaurant for several years, he returned to the lure of the open road. He drove tanker truck for Grassland Dairy, making numerous runs to Hershey, PA, often returning with Chocolate for friends, and family. After several other trucking jobs, he retired with wife Mary. Not being able to sit still and never afraid of work, retirement did not last long. Charlie started working part-time jobs, including a long stint working at the B & F Machine Shop in Neillsville. Another part-time job at the U. S. Post Office turned into a full-time job as a rural route mail carrier. He enjoyed talking with the people on his route, going the extra mile to help then when needed and always had a treat for the dogs. He continued his full-time work ethic, retiring from the post office at age 79.

He enjoyed travelling with his wife Mary, even after all the truck driving. He continued with trips throughout the United States. His love of the outdoors led him to travel over 35 times to Quantico Provincial Park, Canada, with friends, and family for wilderness canoeing, and camping. His longest and most eventful trip was to Russia for the adoption of his two grandchildren. Charlie will be remembered for his hard work, love of animals and nature, love people and his kind heart.

Friends and family of Charlie are invited to join in a celebration of his life at the Wildcat Inn, Neillsville, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.