Melvin Charlier Obituary

Melvin L. Charlier, of LaGrange. Husband, father, lawyer, pilot and farmer, died April 3rd, 2008 at 90 years of age. Born in Denmark, WI on December 17, 1917, he received his Doctorate of Law degree at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and shortly thereafter joined United Airlines. There he had a long and successful career, retiring as captain in 1977 with his final flight to Hawaii piloting a Boeing 747. He also served as Standards Chairman for the Airline Pilots Association. He met his beloved wife Joyce just after World War II ended. They married after a whirlwind courtship and settled in LaGrange, IL where they raised nine children. Dad was a man of Humor, integrity and energy and from early childhood he loved gardening and raising animals. He shared this joy with his family at Hilltop Valley, a farm near Richland Center, WI, where we all had many wonderful family times. Mel is survived by his wife Joyce, his three sons, William, Robert (Holly), John (Beth); six daughters, Susan (James) Langemak, Jeanne (Russell) Paasch, Barbara (Hal) Colbert, Mary (Lowell) Martin, Sally Maas, Betty Charlier; fifteen grandchildren, David, Wendy, Eric, Megan, Katy, Deb, Mike, Tim, Dan, Courtney, Autumn, Dacia, Nicole, Kyle, Mitchel; four great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Kaeden, Raina, Havyn and his niece Gayle and her children. He will be sorely missed. Visitation Monday, April 7 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Funeral Mass 10am Tuesday, April 8th at St. Cletus Church, LaGrange. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements by Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 708-352-6500.