Robert “Bob” “Charlie” Oberlin, 89 of LaCrosse, passed away Monday, July 11, 2022. He was born June 18, 1933, in Watseka, IL to the late Willard and Lillian (Hayes) Oberlin. Robert graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1952 and proudly served in the United States Army. He was a lifelong farmer and member of the LaCrosse United Methodist Church. Robert also belonged to the Masonic Lodge 438 in North Judson, American Legion 403 in Wanatah, Lion’s Club, Moose Lodge, and was a Shriner. In his free time, Robert enjoyed taking a camping trip to Potato Creek or northern Minnesota, and fishing. He will be remembered for proclaiming, “Holy Smokers!” when something surprised him. Robert will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
On September 6, 1969, in LaCrosse, Robert married Mildred Kepcha, who preceded him in death in 2010. He is survived by his stepchildren: Carol Clark, David (Sally) Dutcher, Pamela (Denny) Kaiser; sister-in-law, Letitia Oberlin; nieces: Wendy (Dusty) Warner and Sherri Johnson; 6 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; and his beloved beagle, Trixie. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Wendell and Wallace Oberlin; and niece, Linda Czarnecki.
A visitation will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., at the LaCrosse United Methodist Church, 11 N. Indiana Ave., LaCrosse, with a funeral service and masonic lodge service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LaCrosse United Methodist Church or the Masonic Lodge of North Judson.
Rest in Peace Charlie. Back when I was in highschool, we got stranded in a snowstorm on the way home from a basketball game near Charlie's house on Hi-Way 8. He was able to take us in until they got the roads open back up. -Ed Kosanke
