Arlin "Chuck" O. Bluske

Arlin Bluske, known to most as “Chuck” left the Morrow Home in Sparta to go be with his Lord on Sunday, January 21, at the age of 80 years.

Chuck was born to Orlando & Edna (Goede) Bluske at home on the family farm in Newton Valley on November 26, 1937. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1955.  He married Mary Schmitz in 1959.  They had four children and were later divorced.  He married Alice Knoll Bush on October 12, 1972. 

Chuck had a variety of jobs throughout his life.  He worked on the ‘wet deck’ at GM in Janesville, was a route salesman for both Coke and Frito Lay, was the building manager for the ‘McCoy’ house in Sparta, plus in his ‘spare time’ he mowed several lawns around town. Most notably, Chuck was a police officer turned Sergeant for the Sparta Police Department for over 20 years and he drove school bus for the Sparta School District for 26 years. He also served on the Monroe County Board for 16 years.

Chuck was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sparta where he served as church President for several years as well as being the chairman of the cemetery board.  Prior to his declining health, he enjoyed golf, fishing, deer hunting, traveling and meeting new people.  He loved his family and friends very much and enjoyed spending time visiting with them.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Alice; sons Michael (Barb) Bluske & Steven (Cindy) Bluske; daughter Susan (Mike) Olson; stepdaughters Cindy (BJ) Sinkus & Lynda McDaniel; grandchildren Derek & Don Allard, Katie & Tyler Bluske, Benjamin & Carter Olson, Tanner & Tatum McDaniel, 6 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; brother-in-laws Richard (Marge) Knoll, David (Virginia) Knoll, Edwin Knoll, and Donald (Marcia) Knoll; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He is reunited in heaven with his daughters Kathy and Debbie (May 26, 1971); his sister, Sharon Terwilliger; and parents, Orlando and Edna.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend John Meyer officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Sparta.

Visitation for Chuck will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta. (Please note there will be no visitation on Saturday prior to the service.) Online condolences may be offered to Chuck’s family at www.schanhoferfh.com

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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