Charles J. Smith

Charles J. Smith, 84, of Onalaska and formerly of Dresbach, MN, died on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Heartland Hospice in Stevens Point, WI. He was born on October 22, 1935 in Council Bay, WI to William and Esther (Engaas) Smith. Charles served with the U.S. Army reserves. He married Ramona Haugen and they later divorced. He married Carole Dickson in 1996 and she preceded him in death on January 31, 2020. Charles had owned and operated Gobel Freight Lines. He enjoyed pheasant hunting and going to casinos.

He is survived by three children, Cindy (Jim) Finley of Hopkinsville, KY, Torey (Laurie) Smith of Brice Prairie, and Steve (Tracy) Smith of Onalaska, three stepchildren, Shari (Waylon) Erdmann of Nodine, MN, John (Shirley) Hill of Dakota, MN and Dave Hill of Wabasha, MN, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and a step son-in-law, Don Weber of Onalaska. In addition to his wife Carole he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty (Don) Bruring and a brother, Ken (Mae) Smith.

A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of Onalaska, 907 Sand Lake Road. A lunch will follow at the Onalaska American Legion.