Charles (Chuck) A. Sr., passed away Saturday, January 28, after 89 years of life. He was a cherished husband of 66 years to Dorothy (nee Osmun) and a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife and an extended family of three children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Chuck was born in Short Hills, NJ in 1927 to Herbert G. Mielke and Anna R. Walters. He graduated from Millbourn High School and joined the Navy in 1944. After serving two years, he returned to Millburn where he met Dorothy. They were married September 30, 1950, and were loving partners and friends all his days.
Chuck became a roofing contractor and was a partner in Lakeland Roofing company of Pompton Lakes and later Wanaque, NJ, until his retirement. He was a Master Mason for 50 years, and a member of Mountain View Lodge #154 in Hawthorne, NJ. His passion was helping children, and he was a member of the Salaam Temple clown unit, where he would entertain children as Chuckles the clown, making balloon figures and cheering up children with special needs. He and his fellow clowns were regular participants in the Shriner Circus held annually at the Mennon Arena in Morris Plains, NJ. He also loved to play and watch golf whenever he could. Most of all, he loved to visit with his family, especially his treasured great-grandchildren.
Chuck is survived by his much-loved wife Dorothy; daughter Mary Kircher and husband Bill of Sandy UT; son Charles A. Mielke Jr. and wife Lynn of Wayne, NJ; and daughter Patricia Foster and husband James of Wantage, NJ. His six grandchildren have made lives across the world; Gregory Kircher of Seattle, WA., Eric Kircher and wife Kristi of Sandy, UT; Ellen English and husband Jason of Wayne, NJ; Mark Mielke of Wayne, NJ; Tara Downey and husband Patrick of Mine Hill, NJ; and Jennifer Hinton and husband Shannon of Sydney, Australia. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren whom he adored; Charlotte, Katherine and Juliet English; Easton, Crosby and Finely Kircher; and Sean and Cole Downey.
A private service was held in Sandy, UT for immediate family. His ashes will be spread among the people and places he loved. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, (844) 739-0849 or online at http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate.
