Charlie was born January 9, 1933, the son of Fred and Leonore Bockelman. Born and raised in Chicago, he was a student of Thomas Kelly High School. As an upperclassman, he was recruited to go to college by the company he was working with at the time, Link Belt Company, which opened in 1952. Around this time, he also went to serve in the Korean War, but was dismissed after four months due to hearing issues.
In 1956, Charlie married Dolores Kozak, and started his family with his three children, Robert, Linda, and Debra. As a father and for the remainder of his career, he worked as a mechanical engineer at Material Services. He was a talented drawer, and was very intelligent in mathematics and science.
As an avid reader that loved to read about science, history, politics; he always wanted to learn about how the world works and understanding the life around him. One of his favorite things to do was visit the many museums in Chicago, especially the Museum of Science and Industry. He was a well-informed and progressive thinker. When he was younger he liked fast cars and working on engines. One time, he even missed school to look at the trains.
Charlie was known to his friends and family for his dry sense of humor that sometimes came out of nowhere. He was light hearted, witty, and loved spending time with his family.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Elva Bockelman; brother, Edward Bockelman; three children, Robert Bockelman, Linda Cole, Debra Bockelman; grandchildren, Andrea Berman, Michael, Ryan, Andrew, and Elisabeth Bockelman, Elaina Talley, Alex Cole; great-grandchild, Abigail Berman, stepchildren, Ingrid Montano and Norbert Echevarria; step grandchildren, Kristen Echevarria, Eric Albarran; great-step grandchild, Ethan Ketza.
A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at Ridge Funeral Home, (Edward A. Tylka, Manager/Director), 6620 West Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60638. A memorial service will be held on Sunday January 26, 2020 from 2:00pm to 2:30pm at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 West Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60638. Interment private. For more information, please call (773) 586-7900 or www.ridgefh.com.
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