Charles "Charlie" A. Hannum

Charles Arthur Hannum was born on May 2, 1948 to Miriam (Kundert) and Arthur Hannum in Hartford, Connecticut. Charles was the first born of three children, a brother David and a sister Christine. By age seven he became knowns as “Charlie” and his family moved from Holyoake, Massachusetts to Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from Madison West High School in 1967. He later married Carol Coon and of that marriage, son Christopher was born. That child would be the greatest blessing God bestowed on Charlie’s life.

As a young adult Charle held various jobs including managing a Pizza Hut and seasonal work at Swiss Colony. If you saw him in his, or a church kitchen making a cheese and sausage tray, you knew every slice would be perfectly cut. Of recent years he was killing it with ‘Charcuterie Boards’ to the chagrin of his sisters-in-law. Years later Charlie secured job at Miles Laboratories in Madison doing a variety of jobs there. His final station found him being a batch operator, producing dairy cultures. As Charles loved to say “I grew bacteria…and you ate it!” And then that smile. He retired from Miles Labs in 2014 after being an exemplary employee for 37 years.

Studying his Bible and serving others was the humble heart beat of his life. It all began in 1980 when he surrendered his life to Christ and began a 44-year journey as a Born-Again man. Shortly after, he felt a ‘pull’ to Bill Glass’s Prison Crusades and  traveled to participate in these crusades held at prisons throughout the Country. After a few years Charlie felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to travel to the prison in Waupun, Wisconsin to share God’s Word with the prisoners each Wednesday night. This was only the beginning, of the outreach God had in store for his servant. In the early 1980’s Charlie began attending Hilldale Assembly of God (where he met his best friend, Becky). He was a Gideon at the time and had spoken at a service there. Gary Brandenburg was pastor and they became fast-friends. Charlie decided to make this his church home and was a faithful member for many years. Through these years Charlie opened his home to guys doing graduate programs at UW; it was a blessing to them and life-long friendships were made. Some years later Charlie attended Gateway Community Church. While in attendance there he made several mission trips to Haiti, building churches and ministering to the children and adults. It was a true bonding time with the other members of GCC who made these trips. He was active in the Gateway Prayer Group and led a Retired Men’s Bible Study each week. God’s work was paramount to Charlie. Another calling he felt God had laid on his heart was a monthly nursing home service that Charlie and a group of folks from Waunakee held the first Monday of each month; his friend Becky played piano for this group.

After 35 years of being best friends, Charlie realized he was in love…and so was Becky. On November 8, 2020 he married the love of his life, Becky Rohrer. They established their home in Waupaca; making First Assembly of God in Waupaca their church. Their involvement there was immediate, working with groups in the church and assisting some of the retired Assembly of God ministers who live at Spencer Lake. Naturally, Charlie started a small-group Bible Study that he and Becky led twice a month. He couldn’t help himself; he had a ‘servant heart’.

In spring of 2023 Charlie’s health began to decline. Many months later the final diagnosis would bring a series of hospitalizations throughout this past summer. Charle succumbed to multiple diseases after only three weeks in hospice care. On Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Charlie slipped so peacefully from this life to his heavenly reward; eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he so faithfully served.

Missing him are his much-loved wife: Becky; son: Christopher (Kim) Mohalley; grandchildren: Kierra and Jakob Mohalley; sister-in-law: Marlene Hannum; nephews: Troy and Jay Hannum; brother-in-law: Michael Labinski; sisters-in-law: Nancy (Gerry) Mathisen and Rachel (Tom) VanHoff; and brother-in-law: Andy (Pat) Rohrer. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and many friends. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mirium Hannum, brother, David Hannum, sister, Christine Labinski; step-sister, Linda Ringel, father and mother-in-law, John and Ramona Rohrer and many beloved family and friends.

A Celebration of Charlie’s life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 12 p.m. at First Assembly of God, 1420 Berlin St, Waupaca.  The visitation will be on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Becky and family wish to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Oleg and Thedacare Cardiology and Oncology Departments, also to Thedacare Home Hospice Care, especially Sarah and Niki. Everyone was tender and compassionate to Charlie. Thank you to Pastor Cliff Cameron for your visits and ministry, and to the many friends and relatives whose visits were treasured.

In his final days these words were repeated often by Charlie. “How much I loved all my friends. Those who work and labor for the Glory of God.” “How very much I love all my family, my bride and my son and his precious family”

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