Charles R. Huntley

Charles R. Huntley, age 80, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. A prayer service will be 7:00 PM on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend David Wildermuth officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 following the prayer service. Burial will be at a later date in West Our Savior Cemetery in rural Menno, South Dakota. A gathering of friends and family will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. Charles R. Huntley was born January 3, 1939, in Yankton, South Dakota to Henry and Edna (Meyers) Huntley. When he was a young boy, the family headed west and eventually settled in Venice, California. His dad worked for the North American Defense Plant and after the war the family returned to Yankton. Chuck attended Sacred Heart School for a short time and then Grove School through the 8^th grade. He attended Yankton High School for three years, participating in football, track and basketball and was also a member of the Grove Boxing Team. Chuck married Elsie Gran on April 25, 1958. Together they raised their four children: Joan Marie, Lori Lynne, Susan Reneé and Chad James. When the children were young, the family enjoyed camping at Lewis & Clark Lake. Later on, for many years he baked and delivered a two-layer chocolate cake to each of his daughters and daughter-in-law for their birthday each year. Chuck worked at Gavins Point Dam during its construction. He also worked for the Neufeld and Bouska Construction companies and was also a driver for Drotzman & Sorenson Trucking. He worked in the maintenance department for the Yankton School District for 15 years. He was a co-owner and operator of Westside Bottle Shop from 1990 to 1995. He worked in maintenance at Mount Marty College for a couple years and then worked for a couple gravel road construction companies until retiring. Chuck was an active member of the South Dakota National Guard, a member of the Searchers Auto Club and a past member of the Yankton Sharpshooters. He loved watching NASCAR and in the early 60’s he raced go-carts and later raced “hobby stocks” at tracks in Yankton, Crofton, Niobrara and Le Mars. Survivors include his wife, Elsie Huntley of Yankton; four children: Joan (Jim) Steckelberg of Yankton; Lori (Todd) Rothenberger of Yankton, Susan Huntley of Yankton and Chad (Aimee) Huntley of Yankton; 13 grandchildren: William Janssen, Rebecca Janssen, Brittany Spiegelberg, Ian Steckelberg, RiAnna Kalovsky, Taylor Rothenberger, Heather Brockmoller, Christopher Huntley, Alexander Huntley, Aedan Huntley, Arion Huntley, Aurora Huntley, and Arias Huntley; 16 great grandchildren; two brothers: Roger (Marilyn) Huntley of Yankton and Steve Huntley of Meridian, Idaho; one sister, Linda (Gary) Weeks of Meridian and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Marlin and Ronald Huntley. To post an online sympathy message visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.