Charles 'Charlie' Stark, 88

Charles John Stark passed away peacefully in his sleep Oct. 11, 2024. He was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on Aug. 8, 1936, to Ernest and Elsie (Gropp) Stark. Chuck spent most of his childhood in Coeur d’Alene and attended Roosevelt and Central schools. His dad owned Stark’s Table Supply across from the old junior high on Seventh Street, where Charlie worked stocking shelves and delivering groceries. He dropped out of school when he was 16 because his family was moving back to Lewiston, and he didn’t want to go.

He married Maureen “Reenie” Walstrom on Sept. 8, 1956, in Coeur d’Alene. After marriage, they lived in Renton, where Chuck worked at Boeing for a short time before moving to Pomeroy, Wash., to work on his uncle’s farm. In 1959, they returned to Coeur d’Alene and bought their first home. In 1961, the family traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, where Chuck worked as a painter until 1967. He brought his family back to Coeur d’Alene because he felt it was a better place to raise his children.

Chuck was a talented blue-collar man who painted and remodeled many homes and businesses in Coeur d’Alene. In 1969, he built the family home where he lived happily until his death. After retiring in 1999, he and Reenie enjoyed the next 25 years traveling to their property in Alaska, fishing on the Kenai River, and spending winters in Yuma, Ariz. They loved spending any extra time at their cabin in the woods that Chuck built in 1977.

Charlie was a craftsman at construction and was always happy to jump in and assist others with their projects and share his expertise. He was a kind and thoughtful man who lived life to the fullest and will be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to thank Diana from hospice and his nurse, Pam, whom he looked forward to seeing every Friday.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Maureen; daughters Susan (Rob) Kaestner and Diane (Jeff) Fountain and son Garry (Julie) Stark, all of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren Tyson, Kyle (Sarah), Cole (Hannah) Kaestner; Jesse (Sammy) Fountain, Emily Fountain, CJ Stark, Katie (Nate) Bridges and Lindsey (Ben) Widmyer; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Ernestine Wikum.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cd’A Eagles, 209 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. In honor of Charlie’s memory, donations may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org).

Please visit Charlie’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.