Charles Ahartz, 88, of Spearfish passed away on March 1, 2013 at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis with military honors by the Spearfish Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow at the VFW Post 2230 in Sturgis.
Chuck was born on June 12, 1924 to Lewis and Alma (Bergeron) Ahartz in Revillo, SD and joined four sisters and three brothers. They were all raised in the Revillo area until their house burned down forcing them to travel by covered wagon to Lead, SD so his father could work at the Homestake Mine.

At the age of 19 he joined the Army and was stationed in Africa and Italy. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He married Julia Hendrickson on September 8, 1966 in Walsonberg, CO and they returned to Lead. He worked at the Homestake Mine and then later was a maintance operator for the city.

Charles always had a smile on his face and loved to help people.
Survivors include his step-son Richard (Fran) Lehman, Newcastle; stepdaughter-in-law Evelyn Lehman, Albuquerque, NM; many step-grandchildren and great-step-grandchildren; and long time special friend Bernita Jaskela. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings, his wife Julia in 2000 and step-son Robert "Rob" Lehman.