RACINE – Charles ‘Charlie’ George Dolezal, 78, passed away on Sunday January 5, 2025 at his home. Charlie was born in Racine on June 29, 1946, the son of the late George J. and Dorothy M. (nee:Stehlik) Dolezal.
Charlie worked many years as a maintenance mechanic at Racine Industrial. He was a handy guy, always working on his own vehicles and taking on small jobs around his house. Chuck also loved music and was involved with many bands throughout his lifetime. He played guitar in some of them and ran sound for many others. He was always willing to ‘hangout and jam’ just for fun. Many times, Chuck would show up to family get together with his acoustic guitar and play a song or two and sing. Years ago he would also take his guitar with him and play for the residents at the assisted living facility where his mom then resided. He cared for his mom and visited her daily, he was a good son with a loving heart. He was always willing to help others in need whenever he could.
Surviving are his loved ones, John (Dona) Dolezal, Joseph (Rebecca) Dolezal, Heidi (Jimmy) McAllister, Jeremy (Angelica) Dolezal, Kirstin (Randy) Hautzinger, and many other dear relatives and friends. Charlie was proceeded in death by both his parents, and his brother John (Jack) J. Dolezal. Funeral services for Charlie will be held on Monday, January 13,2025 at 5:00 P.M. in Strouf Funeral Home in Racine. The family will receive guests in the funeral home on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. until the start of service. Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 15,2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Graceland Cemetery.
I will miss you Uncle Charlie. You were always a thousand laughs to be around. Man we used to do some really crazy stuff at family outings, I will remember for ever.
Just a couple stories from the past as I shared a few on Facebook:
From jumping trash cans on mini bikes or jumping trash cans on snowmobiles in the middle of summer. I didn’t need hospitalization but I was close. All I remember is how much fun it was and you were laughing so hard you were in tears. Grandpa and my mom were not laughing.
That is what being my uncle was all about.
You will be missed!
You will be greatly missed Uncle Chuck! I’ll miss the times you and Joe would jam just because! May you rest in peace and be reunited with Grandpa, Grandma, and Pop! Love you!
Rest in Heaven , I’ll never meet another man like you! You were so kind, always leading a hand, always willing to teach someone. You were very wise. Now you’re with your good buddies, while the rest live on this Earth with find memories they only share with you. You always knew how to rock out! I know Heaven is definitely jamming out ! Miss you old man! Rest easy !
I am saddened that one of my lifelong friends from grade school and many many band rehearsals and entertaining gigs has been lost to all of us. Hours long conversations over the years always wanting people to be a kinder and considerate world. Charlie wanted to be there for all of us and he was! RIP and may God hold and keep you in his Heavenly Band!❤️🙏
Rest in peace old friend and thanks for all the good times growing up
Charlie was truly an outstanding and giving person. He will be sadly missed by many.
Charlie possessed an enormous understanding of how machinery and infrastructure systems worked. He shared this knowledge to create music, support musical talent as well as service and repair complex industrial challenges as a profession.
To me, Charlie was truly the wonderful person others have commented on. However, his nephew’s comment on crazy things that Charlie would dream up was something I was able to experience firsthand when the rest of the band had driven off after unloading the step van on a cold March Sunday afternoon at least 50 + years ago.
Ronnie and I were plugging in his Hammond into the leslie speaker so we were the last ones comming out of the basement. Charlie was at the cellar door with a gas powered mini bike. “Let’s have some fun fella’s” he drawled with a big grin. What followed was hours of jumping that bike over all types of objects with Charlie gradually increasing the course’s difficulty until we were getting air on each jump. Charlie was laughing so hard he kept repairing that bike until it’s frame broke and We were done.
There’s one last observation I want others to remember. That is his posture on his cycle. He only had one start speed… fast. And he sat back so relaxed And expressionless that he was the coolest guy on two wheels.
Thanks for all that you did for family and friends and if good works counts for anything you are laughing with George, Dorothy and Bodnar right now.
Charlie was a creative engineering genius as a problem solver/fixer at Racine Industries.