Charles R. Whitcomb

Paynesville
November 7, 1916 - July 2, 2012

Charles R. Whitcomb, age 95 of Paynesville, died Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Paynesville Area Hospital.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 Friday, July 6, 2012 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the St. Louis Catholic Church and one hour prior to the service.  A Catholic Aid Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church.  Entombment will be in the St. Louis Catholic Church Mausoleum.  Funeral arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville.

Charles Rolland Whitcomb was born November 7, 1916 in Morgan, the son of Frank A. and Lillian (Picker) Whitcomb.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Morgan.  He attended St. Michael’s Elementary and Morgan Public High School, graduating in 1934. He worked part-time while going to high school and full time after school at the IGA and Super Valu Store in Morgan.  On Aug. 30, 1941, Charles was united in marriage to Anna Eva Bickhardt.  Shortly after their marriage, he entered the United States Army Air Corp., where he served his country during WWII. On November 3, 1945 he was honorably discharged.  They made their home in Morgan where he worked as Postmaster for 12 years, rural mail carrier for 25years, drove school bus many years and served on the volunteer fire and ambulance dept. for 41 years. He also served on the Morgan School Board for 14 years and owned and operated the Morgan Roller Rink with two partners.    He retired in 1977 and they moved to Paynesville in 1984.  Charles and Eva were able to share in 61 years of marriage before her death on June 26, 2003. 

Charles was a 76 year member of Catholic Aid and a lifetime member of both the American Legion and VFW where he was the first commander of VFW Post 5771.  He enjoyed fishing, rug weaving, traveling and time spent with family.  He especially loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Charles is survived by his children, Calvin (Pat) Whitcomb, Steven (Karen) Whitcomb, Donavan (Brenda) Whitcomb, Randall (Pam) Whitcomb and James (Sara) Whitcomb; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Charlotte (Marvin) Kopischke, James Whitcomb and Virginia Kopischke. 

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Eva; granddaughter, Holli Rudningen and siblings, Catherine, Ralph and infant sister.