TAMA- Charles J. Kupka, age 85, of Tama died Sunday, April 4, 2010 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held on Thursday. April 8 from 5 to 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama where there will be a vigil service at 7 PM
Charles was born on October 14, 1924 in Tama, Iowa, the son of Charles A. and Josephine M. (Carr) Kupka. Growing up, he attended St. Mary's School in Tama through the eighth grade. He then attended and graduated from Tama High School. Charles furthered his education at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. During his time at Loras, Charles was drafted into the United States Army. He proudly served his country from 1943 until 1946, seeing action in the Philippines, New Guinea, and Japan. After his discharge from the Army, Charles returned to Loras and completed his degree in chemistry. He then joined his father in the family business, Kupka's Meat Market. He was united in marriage to Celeste Hoover on June 20, 1951 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, Iowa. Following his retirement from the meat market in the early 1990's, Charles worked as a security guard at the Tama Meat Packing Plant. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama where he served as a Eucharistic minister, was on the building committee for the new school, and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Charles also served on the Tama City Council and was also the mayor pro-tem. Charles was also on the Tama library board as well as the Tama Chamber of Commerce and the Tama American Legion. Although he lived a busy life, he always made time to attend his children's activities when they were growing up. Charles deeply loved his God, church, family, and country. He was always loyal to his comrades and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and one sister, Mary Ellen Kupka.
Survivors include his wife Celeste of Tama; five children, Susan (Shawn) Davis of Charles City, IA, Joseph (Rhonda) Kupka of Richardson, TX, Thomas Kupka of Mesa, AZ, Barbara (Ansley) Kupka-Smith of Camilla, GA, and Carol (Mark) Paige of Mesa, AZ; seven grandchildren, Andrew Kupka, Bradley Kupka, Keegan (Melina) Davis, Rachel Davis, Connor Smith, Erin Smith, and Nicholas Paige; and one sister, Anna Rose Blayer of Tama.
A memorial fund has been established.