Charles "Charlie" W. Wilde

Charles “Charlie” W. Wilde, 87, of the town of Stettin, passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He was born on February 27, 1937 in Wisconsin Rapids to the late Frank and Iva (Berry) Wilde.  Charles graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids and continued his education at U.W. – Whitewater where he was a member of the Delta Kappa fraternity and the University Band.  He graduated in 1960 with his degree.  Charles was a high school math teacher for 20 years and taught in the school districts of Elkhart Lake, Kiel, and Columbus.  He married the former Audrey Jorgensen in Kiel on August 21, 1965.  They made the move to Wausau after Charles was offered a teaching position at the Transamerican School of Broadcasting teaching computer programming.

Charles had a love of music and playing the trumpet was a large part of his life outside of teaching and his family.  He played his trumpet for many military funerals, assisting the local American Legion, V.F.W., and at the cemetery in King.  In addition to playing to honor veterans, he played trumpet and sang in the choir at Wesley United Methodist Church, was a member of the River Valley Harmonizers, Wesley United Methodist Church, Wausau City Band, Bull Falls German Band, and Kiel Municipal Band.  Charles’ hobbies also included playing on the Wesley Dartball Team, operating his Ham Radio that he built, and photography.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey Wilde; son, Mark (Tanya) Wilde; grandchildren, Jessica (Daryl), Brandon (Jenna), Keith, and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Elliana, Asher, Ariah, Tia, and Chase; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Iva; son, Kieth; and granddaughter, Mariah.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1101 Elm Street, Wausau with Rev. Pearl Taberlo and Rev. Ethan Larson officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  Burial will follow in Hamburg Cemetery, town of Hamburg.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

Memorial donations may be directed to Wesley United Methodist Church, American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post #10, or the Humane Society of Marathon County.

Access the service via Wesley’s Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Wesley-Methodist-Church-Wausau-104058138740137 and click the center of the video window when the page appears.

Alternately, you can go directly to You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJc4yX94pB4xy4yfJc5MlmQ. When you get to the page, click “LIVE” to see our most recent service.