(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Charles Randle Gann Sr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at the Hospice Alliance in Kenosha on February 22, 2025. He was born September 13, 1923 in Booneville, Mississippi to Charles and Willie Gann. He was raised on his parents’ farm and graduated from New Site High School in 1941.
Charles was a World War II veteran, serving in the army from 1943, as a medic in the European Theatre, until his discharge in 1948. He moved to Kenosha after his discharge, where he eventually met his future wife, Geraldine (Geri) Bedrosian. Charles and Geraldine married in 1950, and now have 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. Geri preceded Charles in death, passing away in 1979.
Upon arriving in Kenosha, Charles worked at American Motors Corporation for 9 yrs. He eventually joined the Kenosha Fire Department in 1959, where he worked as an apparatus operator for most of his career. He retired from the KFD in 1992 after 33 years. He also worked part-time at Wisconsin Fuel for 15 years during those years.
He was a member of Fire Fighters L-414 and served as a board member. He was also a lifetime member of VFW Post 1865.
Charles enjoyed hunting with his good friend and co-worker Bob Burke. Charles and Geraldine spent many special moments with Bob and Jean Burke, Geri and Chuck’s families, and all their kids. He also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and grilling out for his family. He cooked many meals for his fellow firefighters during his years on the Fire Department. He also enjoyed dinner and dancing, and spent many special years doing that with his friend Judy Sloan. He also enjoyed breakfasts with his fellow retirees Ron, Ralph, and John.
Charles got his most enjoyment from his family. He was so proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a great dad and granddad, but humble in that he always gave credit for raising such a wonderful family to his wife, Geri.
Charles is survived by his daughters, Louise Schepker (Charles) of Kenosha and Nancy Knotts (Robert) of Frisco TX, and his sons Charles Gann Jr. (Lorie) of Kenosha and Clayton Gann (Patricia) of Appleton WI. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren: Lisa Lipp (Frank) and her daughters Sophia and Alexis; Charles Schepker Jr. (Sarah) and their children Emma, Cameron, and Caleb; Jason Knotts (Sara); Nicolas Knotts (Devon) and their daughters Charlie and Landry; Rebecca Kaechele (Eric) and their daughters Evie and Emery; Kevin Gann (Tori) and their sons Noah and Jace. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ben, his sisters Nellie Rue and Ann, and his wife Geraldine.
Funeral services with full military honors will be on Friday February 28th 2025 at 5:00PM in the Kemper Center Founders Hall. (6501-3rd Avenue) Visitation with the family will be on Friday in Founders Hall from 3:00PM until the time of service. Privat burial will take place at Greenridge Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials to either Kenosha Firefighter CARE, (Community Assistance Response Effort), D.A.V., (Disabled American Veterans) or Hospice Alliance would be appreciated.
Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations
Stephen P. Casey, Owner and Funeral Director
(262) 653-0667
www.CaseyFamilyOptions.com
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
thomas wieske says:
VERY GOOD MAN!!
Richard "BO" Bosanko says:
To Charlie’s Family: On behalf of the Kenosha Fire Department FAMILY, both ACTIVE and RETIRED members , our sincere sympathy to all of you
on the loss of your beloved Charlie. We share in your sorrow. We wish you many fond memories of him and the good times that you all shared together as a Family. We in the KFD certainly have many. Charlie was a BROTHER firefighter to us, we loved him as such, and he GAVE IT RIGHT BACK! Guys like Charlie helped establish the traditions of PRIDE, DEDICATION, and COURAGE that are the cornerstone of the KFD. And he “passed it on down” to the troops. Charlie was a mentor to many young firefighters starting out their careers with the KFD. He proudly served the citizens of Kenosha. Charlie Jr., your “Brothers and Sisters” on the KFD have “got your back”, Brother. God Bless Our Fallen Brother.
In sadness, Rich “Bo” Bosanko-Battalion Chief-Retired; Kenosha Fire Department
Don Christman says:
Charlie was always funny to work with. Spent nine years working with him. He said one leg was longer from walking in the hills of Mississippi.Still laughing! Great guy.
Jon Lyons says:
As Chaplain for American Legion Post 21, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 21, and District 1 out of Kenosha Wisconsin, prayers go out to you all! Remember the gift of knowing this great individual! Salute to you and thank you for your service! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Mike Hopkins says:
Condolences to Family… Many good times .. Will be Missed… was an Honor to incase his service Commendations
donald holman says:
I REMEMBER ANOTHER NICK NAME FOR ,CHARLIE R NECK GIVEN BY PAUL BLOWER FROM DON HOLMAN
Ann Krulatz Rosmann says:
Sending condolences to the Gann family.
Gregg Sinnen says:
2 quick stories:
1. I walked into the upstairs TV room at “old” #3 (24th and Roosevelt). Its was probably my 2nd or 3rd shift on the job. Charlie was reading a stack of newspapers, the TV was on – nobody else in the room. Charlie politely says “give it a flip if you want, I’m not watching anything”. Less than 30 seconds after I sit down and change the channel, in walks Capt. Zak hollering “Who changed my program?” Without even looking up, Charlie says “The kid did, Cap – I told him not to”. What a sly grin he had!
2. By some fluke I was assigned to drive R3 for a shift VERY early in my career. It was not the easiest station to back into – busy Roosevelt road, no “ramp”, etc. My first try took about 4-5 attempts, with the back up alarm beep beep beeping each time. Once finally inside, there stood Charlie with a stern look – “I hope you’ll have that figured out before I go to bed”. But, in true nice guy fashion, he took the next 20 minutes to teach me how to do it. While I didn’t drive very often (being just “the kid”), I did it on the first attempt every time after. A GREAT guy.
Bill Floyd says:
So sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Charles. Betty and I wish my cousins our deepest sympathies but he sure had a long and very productive life. I will always remember the fun I had with his children (my cousins) when we were children and my family lived in Zion, IL, and often visited with Uncle Charles and Aunt Geri in Kenosha. Plus, I really looked forward to summers when they visited my family after we moved back to Northeast Mississippi and had a country store – was always great to take “city” kids and show them the “country” way of life where the nearest town of about 2,500 people was 13 miles away. I will never forget riding with my cousins in Uncle Charles’ Nash Rambler. I always believe he bought that vehicle because he was working for Nash Motors for several years – one of many examples of the way Uncle Charles showed his loyalty and devotion, which was always very strong. As I got older and finished college then moved around the country really was unfortunate that my family always lived so far away it just was not practical to visit with Uncle Charles and his family. Again, I am so glad Uncle Charles had such a long life, even outlasting his father, my Papaw, who lived to 88. His family can be very proud of him and his long life as a true “gentleman” in every sense of the word. – Bill and Betty Floyd
Belsky says:
I have spent over 30 years with Charlie Gann and his dad and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a great honor and a pleasure to work with them. They both knew their job very well and they were a great resource if I had any questions. They both kept everyone on their toes with some of the best KFD banter. They were the best at firehouse humor.
Love both you guys like brothers
Lee Broadway says:
Condolences from the Lee & Ethel Broadway family,👨🚒