Charles H. Wicke

Charles Hugh ‘Charlie’ Wicke 84, of East Bernard, Texas passed away on April 10, 2024, in Sugar Land, Texas surrounded by his family. Charles was born March 28, 1940, to Charlie and Georgia Sevcik Wicke in East Bernard, Texas. He was the oldest of ten children and grew up helping his dad tend to the livestock and crops on the family farm. Charles attended Holy Cross Catholic School and graduated from East Bernard High School in 1958. He was a member of the Texas Army National Guard in the early 60’s, where he made lifelong friends as he participated in local drills and training all over the United States. While still active in the National Guard, Charles earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston in 1965. Near the end of his college career, he met his wife Peggy Vyvial Wicke. Charles married Peggy on September 1, 1962, and settled in Rosenberg, where they raised three children. They were members of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. For over 20 years, Charles worked as a Professional Mechanical Engineer for Bettis, W-K-M, and Koomey Inc. As an engineer, he designed and patented numerous parts for the oil and gas industry. A life-long member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, he was an active parishioner who regularly attended Eucharistic Adoration. He spent many years working with his sons on electrical and HVAC installs and upkeep of the church and school. From wiring the bell tower controls to helping set up electrical cords and power supplies for the annual church bazaar, Charles was always glad to lend a hand. He was a Knights of Columbus 3rd degree member for 62 years and he served as Grand Knight. He was regularly active in all their fundraisers and activities. He tremendously enjoyed many hours working alongside his fellow K.C. members over the years. Later, Charles spent his time as a Master Electrician dedicated to his personal business, ‘Wicke Electric Service.’ Throughout the years, he was proud to have his brothers and sons work by his side learning the electrical and air conditioning trade. He enjoyed being the general contractor planning and designing homes for friends and family. Not only did he do residential electrical and AC work, but he also made electrical installations for farms, large industries, and businesses in the Fort Bend and Wharton County areas. Charles volunteered many years as the leader of Fort Bend 4-H Shooting Sports and Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) programs. He was instrumental in obtaining the grant to build the indoor rifle shooting range or Fort Bend County and the skeet range. He trained his sons and grandsons along with other youth in shooting skills for 4-H and YHEC competitions. Charles also taught Hunter Education classes to many students throughout the years. While he was involved with Hunter Education and 4-H, he had many opportunities to share his stories of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. He enjoyed taking 4-H groups hunting, fishing, and camping all around Texas. After passing on his electrical business to his sons, Charles was proud to share his knowledge with his grandsons. In later years, he enjoyed watching his grandsons help take care of his farm in East Bernard. Whether it was working on tractors and equipment, welding, cutting and baling hay, feeding cows, or making electrical repairs, he always had projects to keep them busy. After his wife Peggy’s passing in 2004, Charles married Lynda (Lyn) Adolphus Wicke on November 26, 2006. Over these most recent years they lived life to the fullest! He loved listening to Czech polka music and dancing. Charles and Lyn belonged to a dance club, went on several cruises and traveled all over the world. They enjoyed hosting parties and holiday gatherings for friends and family. Charles and Lyn both treasured the company of many wonderful friends they made over the years. They made countless memories together at their East Bernard home on his farm, which Charles designed. They simply enjoyed spending time together. Charles always stayed true to his Catholic faith; his faith never wavered. He insisted on always leading the prayer before meals. That is something he never forgot. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Georgia Wicke; his wife, Peggy Wicke; sister, Pauline Wicke; brother, Kenneth Francis Wicke; sisters-in-law, Eva Wicke and Cathy Wicke. Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Lynda Adolphus Wicke; daughter, Deborah Korenek and husband, John Lee Jr; sons, Darryl Wicke (Julie Collins) and Duane Wicke; sister, Margaret Wicke; brothers, Allen Wicke and wife, Debby, Kenneth Wicke and wife, Beatrice, John Robert Wicke and wife, Ann Doris, Ronald Wicke, Sandy Wicke and wife, Terry, and Dale Wicke; sister-in-law, Margie Patterson; brothers-in-law Lee Vyvial, Jerry Vyvial and wife, Carolyn. Charles is also survived by his grandchildren Jacob Korenek, Jonah Korenek and wife Marissa, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, Charles is survived by an extended family; sister-in-law, Sherry Blattel; stepsons, Robert Adolphus and Fred Adolphus along with their children and grandchildren. Pallbearers include Darryl Wicke, Duane Wicke, Jacob Korenek, Jonah Korenek, John Lee Korenek Jr, Foster McArthur and Neil Boll. Honorary Pallbearers include Margaret Wicke, Allen Wicke, Kenneth Wicke, John Robert Wicke, Ronald Wicke, Sandy Wicke, Dale Wicke, Tom Rawlings and Sandy Rawlings. Charles’ family would like to sincerely thank caregivers Ann Doris Wicke, Denise McIntire, Visiting Angels Denise Carlson and Khrystine Cruz, and East Bernard EMS for their kind and considerate care. For those wishing to donate, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg, Holy Cross Cemetery Fund in East Bernard, the Knights of Columbus Council 2801 Scholarship Fund, or to East Bernard EMS, PO Box 612, East Bernard, Texas 77435. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. The funeral mass is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg.

Tributes

Charles H. Wicke

March 28, 1940 - April 10, 2024