Charles “Charlie” Nahlik, 76, of High Ridge died Aug. 26, 2017, in Kirkwood. Mr. Nahlik was a graduate of St. Anthony of Padua School in High Ridge, CBC High School in St. Louis and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was an active-duty officer for 15 years, attaining the rank of colonel, and was decorated for his service in Okinawa, Vietnam and Germany as well as at multiple posts across the United States. He was also awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valor in combat while in Vietnam. He joined the Army Reserve and became a federal civilian employee upon his return to the St. Louis area in 1978. He held multiple positions with the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Records Center, retiring as deputy chief of its Operations Center in 1997. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.
After retirement, Mr. Nahlik became a genealogy expert, serving as president of the Jefferson County Genealogical Society and specializing in documenting gravesites in historic church cemeteries across Missouri. He co-authored a history of Jefferson County published in 2015. He enjoyed snow skiing, and was active in organizing multiple ski trips to Colorado each year for the St Louis Ski Club.
He was born Dec. 27, 1940, in House Springs, the son of the late Vic and Della (Weber) Nahlik.
He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 54 years: Carole (Gibbons) Nahlik of High Ridge; three daughters: Mary (Robert) Plumlee of Hermann, Sandra (David) Pollmann of Des Peres and Susan (Chris) Muller of Omaha, Neb.; a brother: Steven (Pat) Nahlik of Fenton; six grandchildren: Amanda, Mary and Lauren Pollmann and CJ, Will and Katie Muller; three nieces; one nephew; many cousins, and countless friends.
A funeral Mass was held Aug. 31 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Park. The Patriot Guard led a procession to the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks for burial with full military honors. Memorials may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org; or to the CBC Class of 1958 Scholarship Fund. Arrangements were under the direction of Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood.