Charles "Charlie" Earl Barnett

Charles Earl Barnett "Charlie"

Entered into Eternal Life surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at the age of 87 years at Aurora Zilber Hospice in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Charlie was born and raised in Wauwatosa where he made many lifelong friends at St. Jude the Apostle Grade School and Pius High School. Despite losing his mother at the age of 8, he always reflected on the happy memories of his youth. He felt embraced by extended family and a community of Portland Avenue neighbors.

Summers spent with cousins at the family farms in the Town of Erin were golden times for him. There he found a passion for the complex connections between the Barnett, Manning, Russell, Malloy and Shinners clans. These early experiences made Charlie a man who loved connecting with people. He had a talent for remembering everyone he ever met and making each person feel that they were important to him.

At 20 years old Charlie was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War. He felt fortunate to be stationed in Germany where one of his duties was playing on his unit's championship flag football team.

In 1957 Charlie married his partner in life Lorene Zimmer. They had 3 daughters Colleen, Maureen and Eileen. Together they took the bold step of staring a business in the basement of their home on Ludington Court. Plastics Unlimited, Inc. grew to not only provide well for their family, but allowed them to employ many good people over the years who often became dear friends.

Charlie and Lorene happily welcomed Todd, Scott, Jack and later Al into their family. Over the years, grandchildren Kyle, Kelly, Jack, Erin and Natalie brought great joy into their already rich lives.

All who knew Charlie will remember him as a happy, genuine and loving man who embraced life with a quick joke and a smile.

 Visitation will be held for Charlie on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 9:45am until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, all at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 734 Glenview Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53213. Military honors will follow the Mass. Private interment in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to either St. Jude the Apostle Church,. the Alzheimer's Association (620 South 76th Street, #160, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214) or the charity of your choice requested by his family.

            "Father into your hands I commit my spirit."  - Luke 23:46                        

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