Klimesh, Charles Robert 1934 - 2024
KLIMESH, PAVLOVEC, SHINDELAR, BURKE, MOSHIER GRAY, HAGEMAN, TIMP, DIAZ, KACH, YUNGTUM, SHORES, KUHN, INFELD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/14/2024 at 09:54:57
Charles "Chuck" Klimesh, age 89 of Spillville, IA, died peacefully surrounded by his family, on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, WI, due to a sudden acute illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military rites.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville and after 9:30 a.m. at the church on Thursday. Helms Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Charles “Chuck” Robert Klimesh was born July 12, 1934, to Charlie and Anna (Pavlovec) Klimesh of Spillville. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where he was a dedicated member all his life. Chuck attended grade school at St. Wenceslaus School in Spillville and graduated from Calmar High School in 1952.
Upon high school graduation, Chuck enlisted in the US Navy where he served as an Engineman Third Class (EN3) on the USS Yazoo AN92, stationed along the southeast coast of the United States. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Loras College in Dubuque. When Chuck returned to Spillville, he dedicated his life to continuing the family business his grandfather started in 1913, Central Motors.
Back in his high school days, Chuck gave Martha Shindelar rides to school because the school bus did not come out to her farm in the country. Once Chuck was back in Spillville, the two reunited over a car sale and fell in love. Chuck and Martha were united in marriage on April 24,1965 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. The couple had three children: Mark C, Michael J, and Kris Ann.
Chuck was extremely dedicated to his family, his business, and his community. He participated in many local organizations including the American Legion, Civic Improvement Association (Inwood Ballroom), St. Wenceslaus Catholic Parish, a Scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts, and a founding member of the Spillville Housing Corporation.
He could always find time to chat about a car he worked on or to tell a Navy story about his time in Key West. Throughout his life, his travels took him across North America from Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA. One of his favorite moments was experiencing the introduction of the Ford Mustang at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, where he shook the hand of Henry Ford II.
His travels created many stories, but there was nothing he loved more than dedicating his efforts in his hometown. As an adolescent, he helped his father build many houses in Spillville after WWII. As an adult, he stayed active up until his last few days. Chuck spent many hours at Central Motors and in his junkyard shop working on vehicles, cutting wood, or pulling and sorting nails.
Nothing was more important to him than faith, family, and Fords. His favorite times were with his family from going on camping trips to Monday night pancakes. He enjoyed the simple things in life like napping on the couch during a NASCAR race, finishing a tough puzzle, or enjoying a cold Diet Mountain Dew and a bowl of popcorn.
Chuck was one of a kind – an icon of Central Motors and the City of Spillville. He always had a smile on his face and loved to tell a joke to put one on yours. If there are cars in Heaven, he is surely filling the roads with Fords.
Chuck is survived by Martha, his wife of 59 years. Children: Mark (Pat) Klimesh, Mike J. (Georgia) Klimesh, and Kris Ann (Ed) Burke. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Monte) Moshier, Michelle (Andy) Gray, Karla (Reid) Hageman, Jason (Christina) Klimesh, Abby Klimesh, Kaitlyn Klimesh, Natalie Klimesh, Whitney Timp (Javier Loureiro Diaz), Bailey (Jake) Kach, & Alyssa (Matthias Yungtum) Timp; and twelve great-grandchildren. Brother: Donald Klimesh. Brothers-in-law: Linus Shores and Richard (Darlene) Shindelar. Sister-in-law: Edith Shindelar.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Anna Klimesh. Mother and father-in-law: Matthias “Mike” & Eleanora (Infeld) Shindelar. Son-in-law: Dave Timp. Sister: Karen Shores. Sisters-in-law: Mary Ann Klimesh and Adella (Francis) Kuhn. Brothers-in-law: August (Regina) Shindelar and Alvin Shindelar.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
St. Wenceslaus Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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