Kubichek, Charles Ray

Charles Ray Kubichek, 92, of Blairstown, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo. Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at M.J. Kirby American Legion Post in Blairstown. Inurnment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown, with full military rites performed by the Legion. 

 Charles was born Oct. 27, 1918, in rural Mount Vernon, Iowa, the son of James and Blanche (Serbousek) Kubichek. The family moved to Blairstown when Charles was 2. On Dec. 9, 1942, Charles was united in marriage with Evelyn Stewart. Charles served in the Army Air Corps for 3 ½ years. He was the last of the Pigeonaires, a group that raised homing pigeons for the military. He was a lifetime member of M.J. Kirby American Legion Post in Blairstown and had also been a past commander. Charles was a fireman for 45 years and past fire chief in Blairstown. He was the co-owner of Kubichek Hardware and he also spent many years as the caretaker at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Charles was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Blairstown. He enjoyed trapping and gardening. 

 Charles is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn Kubichek of Blairstown; one son, Rodney Charles Kubichek of Blairstown; two grandsons, Paul Kubichek of Huxley and David Kubichek of Elkins, W.Va.; and three great-grandchildren, Juliet, Braden and Jacob.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Reginald Ray Kubichek; one sister, Faye; and two brothers, Clarence and Lawrence.

 Memorials may be made to the Blairstown Fire Department or to the M.J. Kirby Legion and Auxiliary Scholarship.

 Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Charles and his family. 

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