Charles Ruelle, 80, of 4131 15th Place, Wisconsin Rapids, died Monday morning, January 11, 2010, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Father William Menzel officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Two Rivers, at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Higgins Funeral Home and from 10:30 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at the church. Wisconsin Rapids Tribune Jan 13, 2010 Chuck was born July 28, 1929, in Two Rivers, to Joseph and May (Krueger) Ruelle. He married Marion Brault on August 20, 1949, at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Two Rivers. This year, Chuck and Marion celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Chuck earned an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1949. He was employed at Hamilton Manufacturing Co. as National Service Manager and later at Paragon Electric as O.E.M Sales Manager in Two Rivers. After leaving Paragon Electric, he worked in retail electronics for two decades, first owning a store in Manitowoc, and later founding Hi-Fi and Camera Forum in Stevens Point. In 1989, he worked at Best Power Technology in Necedah as Director, National Power Laboratory and later joined Renaissance Learning as General Manager, retiring in 1996. Chuck was an active participant in the community, first serving as chairman of the inaugural United Way drive in Two Rivers then serving on the Board of Heart of Wisconsin in Wisconsin Rapids. In addition, he worked with community members toward making progressive changes in the structure of the local government, and also led a project to encourage local governments to share resources. He enjoyed curling, politics, photography, fishing and traveling to Elderhostels throughout the United States. His knowledge and expertise in woodworking led him to restore a mahogany 1950s Dunphy fishing boat, and later, to complete a dollhouse for one of his granddaughters. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Surviving are his children, David (Elizabeth) Ruelle, Cary, IL; Lee (Karen) Ruelle, New York City; Joseph Ruelle, Wausau; Kathryn Ruelle, Beldenville and Stephen (Linda) Ruelle, Greenwood, MN; a sister, Jeanne (Jim) Kilbane, Minocqua; sister-in-law, Sister Lucy, C.S.A., Fond du Lac; brother-in-law, Paul (Mary Ellen) Brault, Snoqualmie Pass, WA. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Holy Cross C 9 5 5 Section Block Lot Space In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at the Community Foundation of South Wood County of which he was a loyal supporter which manages funds that benefit the area. Higgins Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Wisconsin Rapids Tribune Jan 13, 2010