Obituary of Charles Stern

Charles William Stern was born on October 16, 1948, to Alice (nee Lewis) and Charles W. Stern, Sr., in Granite City, Illinois, and passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2015. Charlie is survived by his two sons, Eric (Amy) and Jason Stern, his special friend Nancy Riechman, all of St. Louis, MO, and sisters Kathy (the late Bill) King of Phoenix, AZ, and Charlotte (Larry) Williams of Granite City, IL, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joseph Stern, of Perryville, MO. After Charlie graduated from high school he joined the United States Air Force and served from 1965-1969. While in the Air Force he learned aircraft maintenance and helped build and service airplanes in Bien Hoa Vietnam as a member of the 90th Fighter Squadron. This skill would serve him well during his lifetime. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Charlie returned to Granite City, IL and worked in a steel mill, was a stock broker, insurance agent, teacher and finally back to aircraft maintenance. In 1994 he lost his job in aircraft maintenance and again changed careers and became a cost analyst with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in St. Louis, MO. He did this for several years and then retired in November, 2000. During his lifetime, Charlie enjoyed many fishing, camping, and float trips with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed coming to the Montauk area for the trout fishing and to float the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. In 2001 Charlie and his friend Nancy bought property near Montauk and he lived there until his passing.