Obituary of Charles G. Fischbach

Sterling-  Charles (Chuck) G. Fischbach, 90, of Sterling died July 26th at CGH Medical Center.  He was employed by Sterling Multi Products, Prophetstown, as Plant Superintendent for 25 years.

Chuck was born March 31st, 1928, in Sterling, the son of Charles and Dorothy (McCoy) Fischbach.  He attended Lincoln and Central grade schools and Sterling Township High School.  He met his future wife, Patricia (Patty) Stanley at Singing Wheels Skating Rink during High School. She had fallen and skinned her knees.  Chuck helped her get up and called the next day to see how she was doing and they soon started dating. He enlisted in the Army in 1946 at the age of 18. He performed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and served in South Korea prior to the war. Upon his return, he married Patty on September 26, 1948. They began their married life in a three-room apartment, then moved to a 2-bedroom home. They then settled in their larger home where they would live for 48 years, raising their 11 children and many grandchildren as well. They spent many evenings on their porch swing with their loved ones watching the world roll by.

Chuck was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his leisure time.  To facilitate his pursuits, he hand-built the first skull boat to be used on the Rock River, which was done by steaming and forming the ribs then making the hull from ¾ inch redwood.  He was an expert trap shooter and won several state meets and was the Illinois State Champion one year. Following retirement, Chuck and Patty purchased a motorhome and traveled the country from coast to coast and north to south. They spent many winters of their retirement on the Texas Gulf Coast, where they made countless friends.

Survivors include his wife; five sons and five daughters, Phillip (Cathleen) Fischbach of Placerville CA, Timothy (Tom Helfrich) Fischbach of Dixon IL, Jeffrey (Maureen) Fischbach of Sterling IL, Peter (Jan) Fischbach of Sterling IL, Susan Fischbach of Sacramento CA, Wesley (Karen) Fischbach of Roseville CA, Sally (Kirk) Keder of Como IL, Christine Smith of Brookfield IL, Karen (Sean Conboy) Fischbach of Sterling IL, Karol (John) Guzzardo of Sterling IL; two brothers Kenneth (Nancy) Fischbach of Phoenix AZ, and Jim Fischbach of Sycamore IL; 17 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Steven, and sister Donna Grater.  

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM on Monday, July 30, 2018 at First Christian Church , Sterling, with Reverend Tanya Tyler officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation will be Sunday, July 29, 2018 from 2-4 PM at the Schilling Funeral Home and Cremation, Sterling.

A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church of Sterling Music Department.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com