Charles "Chuck" Norman Grandy

Charles Norman Grandy, 93, died peacefully at home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on January 22, 2026 with his loving wife of nearly 72 years by his side. Charles, better known as “Chuck” was born on October 27, 1932 in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to Marguerite, nee Newing, and the Reverend Dr. William N. Grandy.

Charles had a keen eye for design and graduated from Kansas State University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. At Kansas State, he was a member of the ROTC. After graduating, he flew C-124 transport planes between San Francisco, Hawaii, and Tokyo for the Air Force from 1955-1957. After retiring from the Air Force, Charles, his wife, Charlotte, and their two children, Susan and Mike, moved to Belleville, Illinois. There, Charles worked for Union Electric/Ameren until 1987 in research projects such as solar energy and electric vehicle development. In the 1970s, Charles started renovating houses and co-founded Belleville Eagle Reality, where he was a compassionate landlord.

Charles lived a life filled with adventure and travel. He and his wife, Charlotte, traveled to all 50 US states and several foreign countries. One of their favorite places to travel was to Chetek, Wisconsin, to spend time at the lake in the cabin that he and his brother, Bob, built over time. There, he spent hours fly fishing, boating, and teaching his children and grandchildren how to water ski. His grandchildren have fond memories of being pulled behind boats driven by their grandpa. He would get a mischievous twinkle in his eye and the boat would take off full throttle while they skied and “hung on for dear life,” as Charlotte would say.

Thoughtful, witty, compassionate, and often a man of few words, Charles was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son, and child of God. He was active in the United Methodist church throughout his life, attending regularly with his family by his side.

In 1999, Charles and Charlotte settled in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their married life together traveling, snow shoeing, boating, eagle watching, attending the Lake Street United Methodist Church, and enjoying, in his words, "beautiful Wisconsin days" at the lake and with family.

While Chuck has many life stories that will live on through his children and grandchildren, none were as profound as his love for his wife, Charlotte Grandy. Charles and Charlotte, better known as “Chuck and Chuck,” had an unwavering love for each other that was selfless, unconditional, playful, and full of laughter. They could communicate with each other with just one look. When Charles’s hearing was faltering later in life, he could always hear Charlotte’s voice. They documented their love in handwritten messages on a birthday card shared back and forth for seven decades.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte, nee McCormick, Grandy whom he married in June 1954. He is also survived by two children, Susan (Mark) Schilling, and Mike (Sharon Locke) Grandy; four grandchildren Nichole (John) Stinnett, Jay (Jennifer) Schilling, Jules (Jason) Hunter, and Joseph (Chris Voss) Grandy; nephews Matt Grandy and Jim (Julie) Grandy, and great grandchildren, Taylor, Reid, Calvin, Harrison, and Emma. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert William Grandy, and sister, Patricia Helen Adams.

A memorial service for Charles will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Lake Street United Methodist Church, 337 Lake Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703. Visitation will be before the service, starting at 1 pm. Inurnment will take place at the Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Illinois, at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Lake Street United Methodist Church. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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