Robert William Charlesworth, Sr., 84, of Eau Claire died Friday, May 18, 2007, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.\r\nHe was born Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1922, the son of Samuel and Elva Grace (Rhoades) Charlesworth.\r\n Bob attended high school in Pennsylvania until 11th grade, he then went to night school where he earned a degree as a professional machinist and was hired at U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania as a millwright. He remained with U.S. Steel until he enlisted in the United States Navy on October 1, 1942. Bob served in WWII doing battle in the Pacific Ocean with the Asiatic Pacific Fleet. He served on the U.S.S. St. Louis, where he was Machinist Mate 3rd Class, seeing action from Honolulu to Tokyo. He was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945, in Sampson, New York.\r\nBob returned home to his wife, Lula V. Charlesworth (nee Rowe) whom he had married on August 25, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He returned to U.S. Steel where he worked 15 more years until he was laid off. He then took training under the G.I. Bill for body and fender auto repair, and painter. Upon graduating, he worked at the General Motors Plant in McKeesport, PA and later at Carnegie IL Steel. In 1958 they moved with their three children to Downers Grove, IL, where Bob worked as a lathe set-up/machinist until he became employed with he Lisle, ILL, School District as head custodian.\r\nIn 1968 they moved to Eau Claire, where they became employed at Eau Claire Academy youth home, he with maintenance, and she as a house parent. They both later became employed with the Brotoloch Corporation. Bob and Lula later moved to New Auburn, WI, where he was employed with the New Auburn School District as a custodian. Bob and Lulu became house parents at the Sunburst Youth Homes in Eau Claire and Neillsville, commuting from their home in New Auburn. They remained as house parents until their retirement.\r\nBob's hobbies included hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, small engines, Lapindary, (where he made fine jewelry and belt buckles for his friends and family, along with selling his products to merchants.), building model cars and gasoline engine airplanes, and collecting guns, belt buckles, and Native American artifacts.\r\nSurvivors include his son, Robert (Gail) Charlesworth, Jr. of Eau Claire; two daughters, Elva Cup of Eau Claire and Karen Wallace of Bruce; ten grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and a cousin, William Rhoades of Elizabeth, PA.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lulu; a grandchild, Robert Wm. Charlesworth III; and an aunt, Lillian Detling.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home with the Rev. Eric G. Nielsen officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire, with Military Honors conducted by VFW Post #305. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the funeral home.\r\n

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