Charles John Michalski Jr

Charles “Chuck” J. Michalski Jr, 90, Mosinee, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

He was born on April 17, 1934, son of the late Charles and Carrie (Braunel) Michalski. He married the love of his life BerJeta “Birdie” Melanson on May 1, 1954, at St. Paul Catholic Church. She preceded him in death April 15, 2014, just short of 60 years of marriage.

A member of the Army National Guard, he started at the Mosinee Paper Mill as a spare hand, then a machine tender and finally retiring as a Tower Boss after 44 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman teaching his sons and grandsons many lessons in both. A great joy of his was driving the old brown hunting bus every year to all their hunting spots with the whole hunting gang.

Charles especially enjoyed his Tuesday Nights out with his son Jeff shooting pool and doing rip tickets “rips”, for Pit Stop, he was looking forward to pool season starting again. In his younger years he also trapped muskrats and turtles with his good friends Bob Maciejewski and John Valenta.

Chuck and Birdie enjoyed their time making memories at their cottage on Nokomis in Tomahawk, and the occasional trip to a casino. Later in life he really liked his almost daily rides to get a vanilla milk shake and look for deer and pelicans at the dam. 

Even though his memory was fading to remember everyone’s name he would always greet you with a smile and a “good to see ya”! Charles was a true believer of until death do us part, for he promised Birdie he’d care for her at home until the end and he kept his vow.

He will be deeply missed by his entire family.

Chuck is survived by his six children, Thomas (Diane) Michalski, Mosinee, Jean (John) Oatman, Marathon, Linda (Allen) Hotchkiss, Mosinee, Michael (Kelly) Michalski, Mosinee, Jeffery (Pam) Michalski, Mosinee and Pam (Rocco) Hladovcak, Mosinee; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; brother, Ronald Michalski, Florida; sister-in-law, Lorraine Melanson, Wausau; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife Birdie, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Hopperdietzel; a brother, Dennis Michalski; a grandson, Chad Hotchkiss and two great grandchildren, Emma Nickila and Treyden Kurtzweil.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 11:00 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Aaron Becker will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Burial will take place at St. Paul Cemetery. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles's name can be directed to a charity of your choice, or mass intentions for Chuck and Birdie.