Charles Richard Helsel

MONONA- Charles Richard Helsel, age 70, passed away after a brave battle with a brain aneurysm and bone cancer on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Family and friends are grateful for the times shared with Chuck hunting, canoeing, camping and traveling. Recognizing Chuck’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, we know in our hearts he is peacefully enjoying heaven. Chuck was born on Aug. 4, 1941, in Baltimore, Md., and moved to Madison with his family in 1959. In 1960, he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the aircraft carrier USS Princeton. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Chuck married his life-long love and partner, Barb (Rohr). He put his maritime skills from the radio room into practice, completing a 37 year career with Wisconsin Bell Telephone Co. Chuck and Barb raised two children, Dan (Ginny) Helsel and Susan (Chris) Lynch and enjoyed spending time with four wonderful grandchildren, Zach, Mitch, Tanner and Sophia. He delighted in giving them wagon rides behind his beloved tractor “Elvira”; teaching them to drive “Elvira”; attending their sporting events; hunting with Zach, Mitch and Tanner; and having granddaughter, Sophia make him many breakfasts. Chuck volunteered with the Boy Scouts and church youth groups. Chuck’s love of racquetball, tennis and basketball was shared with many friends. Chuck especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son, Dan along with his father-in-law, Babe Rohr, brothers-in-law, Mike and John Rohr and Terry Cross, and many nephews. Dave Rohr was his go to “fix-it man” for the cabin. Chuck loved the cabin and was thrilled when daughter Sue supplied him with gourmet meals that he would heat up so he didn’t have to cook. He felt blessed in having Ginny and Chris for in-laws and that our family got the “best of the best”. After retirement, Chuck and Barb enjoyed many warm winters south with newly found friends in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Helen Helsel; and brother, John. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison at 3 p.m., on Sunday, March 11, 2012. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. The family would like to give special thanks to all his loving caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Chuck’s name to the Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wis. 53711 or the Home Health United Foundation, 4639 Hammersley Road, Madison, Wis. 53711. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Chuck’s name to the Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wis. 53711 or the Home Health United Foundation, 4639 Hammersley Road, Madison, Wis. 53711. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison at 3 p.m., on Sunday, March 11, 2012.