Charles W. Stacey RACINE – Charles William Stacey, age 96, passed away peacefully at Elizabeth Residence on Monday, October 5, 2015. A lifelong resident of Racine, Chuck was born on April 22, 1919 to Howard C. and Sarah Jane (née Tuckwood) Stacey. At age 16, he met Rose Marie Bauernfeind and he remained smitten with his Rosy for the rest of his life. He was clever enough to marry one of the smartest people he ever knew on August 31, 1940. They celebrated 72 years of marriage as devoted partners and best friends, forging the foundation of their family. Chuck attended Washington Park High School in the class of 1937. In 1944, this first generation American left his young family behind to proudly serve in the U.S. Army, 35th Division, 320th Infantry, Company B, in World War II. Chuck qualified as a sharpshooter and fought as a rifleman in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge, until he was injured shortly thereafter in France. He had the privilege to be selected for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in 2012. Employed for more than 39 years at Webster Electric Company, Chuck began as an assembler and foreman, and was promoted to a sales manager where he crisscrossed the country, later retiring in 1981 as the service manager. A prolific hobby farmer, he operated Stacey’s Apple Orchard in his free time. Chuck was also a talented and precise craftsman, excelling in beautiful woodwork. He never hesitated to help family, friends or his church with any project from construction to household repairs. Chuck took pride in doing it right the first time and will be remembered for his motto of “Measure twice, cut once.” Chuck was a natural and scrappy athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football, and an avid Packer and Brewer fan. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Golden K Kiwanis Club, and Webster’s FOF Club. Chuck and Rosy were faithful and long-standing members of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where he served as an usher for more than 50 years. Chuck was a gentleman and a gentle man. Whether providing patient instruction in his workshop or on the finer points of cribbage, he taught his family about hard work, perseverance, confidence, encouragement, and putting family first. Chuck was profoundly respected, greatly appreciated, and deeply loved. And with his passing, our family's connection to this truly amazing generation has come to an end and we can only marvel at their talents and achievements, and strive to go forth with all the lessons and love they have bestowed upon us. Chuck is survived by his proudest achievement and his living legacy -- his and Rosy's family, including children Sue (Keith) Jones of Racine, Dr. John (Karen) Stacey of Madison, WI; grandchildren Kevin (Kim) Jones, Kristin (Matt) Pierre, Brett (Jamie) Stacey, Ryan (Patti) Jones and Dr. Erik (Maria) Stacey; and great-grandchildren Cody and Haley Jones, Sydney and Jack Pierre, Cooper and Drew Stacey, Colin and Riley Jones, Nicholas, Brynn and Jake Stacey. Chuck is also survived by nieces and nephews. Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved Rosy; his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and William Ernst; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard and Dorothy Stacey, Jr., and Edmund and Lillian Stacey; and great-grandson, Jacob Thomas Jones. A memorial service with Military Funeral Honors will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 2417 Drexel Avenue, on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Elias Kitor Nasari officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer or Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. On behalf of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we would like to thank Mary Johnson, the staff at Baypointe Assisted Living, Elizabeth Residence, and Seasons Hospice for their thoughtful and gentle care of Chuck. Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory 4600 County Line Rd. Mt. Pleasant, WI 53403 552-9000 www.draeger-langendorf.com