Charles (Charlie) Ray Karns passed away May 10, 2015 at 10:52 am at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh with family by his side. Charlie was born December 3, 1933 in Dayton, OH to parents Ray and Myrtle Karns of Eaton, OH. He was the 5th of 9 children.
At 17 years old he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served almost 23 years. During his tour in Vietnam he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. After retirement from the U.S.M.C. he spent 18 years as a Deputy Sheriff for Winnebago County. He then retired from the Sheriff's Department to become a bailiff for Judge Bruce Schmidt of Branch 6 in Winnebago County for 20 years.
His passion was for his family, baseball (specifically the Cincinnati Reds), bowling, traveling, reading, and golf. He had a hole-in-one on Lake Shore Golf Course Hole #15.
He is survived by his wife Gerry (Nelson) of 61 years. They met at Treasure Island in San Francisco in 1952. They were married March 5, 1954. He is also survived by his sons: Mark, Kevin, Daniel (Sandy), and Paul (Connie); seven grandchildren: Kristopher (Sarah), Kimberly (Nick), Alex, Staci, Kayla, Jacob, Abbey; three great-grandchildren: Arjen, Ailan and Karolyna; two sisters: Marge Jordan and Karen Karns; sister-in-law: Delores Kruse and family; dear friends: Mary and Eldon Lee; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Richard, Jack and Dougie; three sisters: Betty, Joanna, and Donna.
He will be remembered as a tremendously loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
The memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Seefeld Funeral Home. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be in Waukau Cemetery, Waukau, with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Charlie's name is being established.