As a youth he was involved in Cub Scouts, Little Chiefs, and Boy Scouts. He had paper routes for many years. In high school he played the alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, and tuba and played in the Lincoln High Marching Band. After high school he worked as a station attendant at Fisca Oil then a cook at Village Inn. Charles began his long career working at StarTran as a Master Technician where he worked for nearly 40 years. While working at StarTran he also operated his own shop and then worked part time as a mechanic at Belmont Husky Service.
Over the years Charles enjoyed throwing darts, playing Dungeons and Dragons, canoeing on the Niobrara River, and bowling. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was always there to help when needed. He met his wife Patricia in 1990 and they married March 26, 1999, and were married for 24 years.
Charles started building his living space on the second floor in his big red building in 2005. His garage area was on the main floor. Charles, Pat, and family members spent many hours working on that space until that project was finished. Charles had owned two motorcycles and was especially proud of his red Harley Davidson. He loved International Trucks and antique trucks and was looking forward to working on restoring them in his retirement. Charles loved life. He fought hard despite all his health issues and kept a positive outlook and was always making plans for the future.
Charles was survived by his wife Pat, brother Paul (Judy) Hruby, sister Robin (Gregg) Dolen, father-in-law Arlo Stahly, sister-in-law Judy (Carl) Peery, brother-in-law Bill (Mary) Stahly, nieces and nephews: Jamie (Mark) Granquist (sons Jonah and Jason), Matthew Hruby (daughter Jocelyn Hruby-Dodd), Mark (Crystal) Hruby (son Jackson), Angela Franssen, Valerie Franssen (Preston Bennett) (son Curtis Weldon), Nicole (Justin) Baggett, Scott (Kaela) Peery (sons Walter and Chase),Jeremy (Marissa Maeweathers) Stahly (son Riley, daughters Harmony, Dahlia) , aunt, cousins, and many friends and extended family members. Preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Lola, and mother-in-law, Jeanice.
Visitation with family will be Wednesday, June 28, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th St. Celebration of life will be Thursday, June 29, at 10:30 am. Memorials to Big Red Rescue.
