Charles John Kerkvliet's Obituary
Charles John Kerkvliet
December 29, 1940 — December 15, 2025
Gone but not forgotten…
Charles (Chuck) John Kerkvliet passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 5:05 a.m. in his room at Avamere Mt. Ridge Assisted Living Home. We find comfort in knowing he is reunited with our mom. Chuck was born in Larchwood, IA, to GB Kerkvliet and Emma Kerkhove. Chuck spent his childhood in the small town of Larchwood, IA, where his father worked as a blacksmith.
Charles was the third child of eight children. To help the family, Chuck went to work at an early age. Chuck had a choice of working with his father in his blacksmith shop or going to work on a farm. Chuck chose the latter and worked on a friend of the family’s farm. Chuck had many fond memories working for Paul Dieren before graduating from high school and joining the U.S. Navy in 1959.
After Chuck joined the Navy, he was stationed in San Diego, where he met the woman, he would remain married to for forty-two years. Charles married Catherine (Cathy) Joyce Blankenship, June 14, 1961. The couple moved to many different military bases before returning to San Diego, where Chuck retired from the Navy after twenty years.
Chuck and Cathy welcomed their first daughter, Crystal Jean on July 5, 1967, in San Diego, CA. Then welcomed their second daughter Celia Jane on April 26, 1972, in El Centro, CA. Chuck and Cathy raised their family in San Diego until Celia went to high school. At that time Chuck’s career required the family to move to Cary Grove, IL, but only Chuck, Cathy, and Celia moved to Illinois as Crystal had married.
After Chuck’s employment contract ended in Illinois, Chuck and Cathy moved to Layton, UT, where Chuck worked at Hill Air Force Base until he retired permanently.
After retiring completely, Chuck and Cathy moved to Lake Havasu, AZ. They really enjoyed living in Arizona. They boated, fished and enjoyed going to yard sales, until Cathy’s health required them to move back to Ogden, UT.
Chuck enjoyed many hobbies, such as boating, camping, fishing, and home repair. Chuck took pride in keeping his home in good repair. Chuck spent many hours teaching his girls how to work alongside him. He taught them to be independent women!
Chuck’s favorite hobby after retiring was playing Santa. Chuck loved seeing the kids’ smile while he was dressed as Santa. Chuck was Santa for Riverdale City many times, even arriving at his destination via the fire truck. Chuck was also Ogden City’s Santa Claus for many years, until his knees would not allow him to walk anymore. In addition to playing Santa for the cities, Chuck spent many hours helping to design and build the Riverdale Veteran’s Memorial.
Chuck is survived by his daughters; Crystal (Karl) and Celia (Ron); his grandsons, Ryan
(Bethany), Aaron, Kyle; his granddaughter, Makayla; sisters, Clara (Ray), Helen; brother, Francis (Robin); sisters-in-law, Mary Ann, and Shirley; brother-in-law Wayne Wieczorek, and many nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Cathy, his parents, GB Kerkvliet and Emma
Kerkhove; brothers, Bernard and Lee; and his sisters, Sister Mary Rose (Anna) and Dorothy.
Graveside services (including internment) will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. with a viewing held prior from 12 - 12:50 P.M. All services will be held at the Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave. San Diego, CA 92113.
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