Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Tripp County > Winner > Winner City South Catholic Cemetery > Charles James “Chuck” Wondra

Charles James “Chuck” Wondra

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Birth	:	13 Apr 1922 Petersburg, Boone County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	30 May 2000 Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan, USA
Burial	:	Winner City South Catholic Cemetery, Winner, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.3850000, -99.8520000
Plot	:	BK10 L16 G4
Description	:	Charles J. Wondra, age 78, of Adrian, Michigan and formerly of Wood, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 at his daughter’s home. Charles was born on April 13, 1922 at Petersburg, Nebraska, the son of Carl and Gertrude (Ernst) Vondra (Wondra). He graduated from South Dakota State University with a B. S. of Engineering. He had been employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio, retiring in August of 1985. After retirement, he moved to Pixley, CA. He had been very active in his churches and his family. They were both important to him. He is survived... Read More	Charles J. Wondra, age 78, of Adrian, Michigan and formerly of Wood, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 at his daughter’s home. Charles was born on April 13, 1922 at Petersburg, Nebraska, the son of Carl and Gertrude (Ernst) Vondra (Wondra). He graduated from South Dakota State University with a B. S. of Engineering. He had been employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio, retiring in August of 1985. After retirement, he moved to Pixley, CA. He had been very active in his churches and his family. They were both important to him. He is survived by a daughter, Debra (Michael) Starinki of Adrian, MI, a son, Charles (Vanessa) Wondra of Fairlawn, OH; four grandchildren, Melissa Starinki of Adrian, MI; Meghan (Todd) Baulch of Grand Rapids, MI; Michael Starinki of Adrian, MI and Mary Elizabeth Starinki of Adrian, MI; three brothers, John (Lois) Vondra of Bridgewater, SD; Lawrence “Bud” Vondra of Winner, SD and Raymond (Jean) Vondra of Rapid City, SD; two sisters, Betty (Leo) English of Winner, SD and Patricia (Patrick) Coyle of Huron, SD; several nieces and nephews; a special friend, Jean Dart and her children, Donald (Janet) Dart and their daughters of Kent, WA; Judy (Curt) VanBortwick and their sons of Pixley, CA and Janet (Tom) Rutherford and their daughters of Pixley, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Sporrer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The family name was originally Vondra, but when the now Czech Republic was under the Austrian Empire, using the letter V was not allowed, and all V's had to be W. So originally they were Vondra, then Wondra, and many of them have changed back to Vondra after being in the United States, but not all of them. When the change in the family name happened, Chuck (Charles), was staying with an aunt in California so he could swim daily to strengthen his leg that had been struck by polio. His name was never changed to Vondra, but stayed Wondra his whole life while everyone else changed to Vondra. By the way, when he was swimming in California, Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) swam at the same pool and befriended him. When Chuck was in California, he was very homesick. He sold newspapers and saved his money. After being in California for around 2 years, he bought himself a bus ticket home. He rode the bus to Murdo, South Dakota, and caught a ride most of the way home. One day, his family saw someone walking down the road and it was him, Chuck, coming home from California. They were not expecting him. There were tears of joy all around at his being back home.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charles James “Chuck” Wondra's memorial?
Charles James “Chuck” Wondra's memorial is located at: Winner City South Catholic Cemetery, Winner, Tripp County, USA.
When did Charles James “Chuck” Wondra death?
Charles James “Chuck” Wondra death on 30 May 2000 in Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charles James “Chuck” Wondra's memorial?
Latitude: 43.3850000
Longitude: -99.8520000

Family Members:

Parent

Carl James Vondra

(1892 - 1966)

Gertrude Ernst Vondra

(1897 - 1981)

Siblings

Lawrence Joseph “Bud” Vondra

(1929 - 2011)

Patricia “Pat” Vondra Coyle

(1937 - 2018)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Winner City Cemetery
Winner, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3850000, -99.8510000

2. Old Lamro Cemetery
Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3574900, -99.8896700

3. ZCBJ Cemetery
Winner, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3245300, -99.8700800

4. Colome Cemetery
Colome, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2638245, -99.7223816

5. Saint Isidore Catholic Cemetery
Colome, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2638200, -99.7223800

6. Ideal Cemetery
Ideal, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5435982, -99.8711014

7. Holy Spirit Cemetery
Ideal, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5418200, -99.9219300

8. Saint John the Baptist Cemetery
Witten, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4706001, -100.0832977

9. Saint Boniface Catholic Cemetery
Clearfield, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2130000, -100.0450000

10. Mniska Presbyterian Cemetery
Bull Creek Township, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4593800, -99.5531500

11. Our Savior Cemetery
Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4756012, -99.5500031

12. Roseland Cemetery
Hamill, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6010000, -99.6830000

13. Koenig Cemetery
Ideal, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6367000, -99.7786200

14. ZR Ranch Memorial Cemeter
Hamill, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6265605, -99.6955262

15. Congregational Cemetery
Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1116982, -99.8199997

16. Dixon Cemetery
Gregory County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3932991, -99.4738998

17. Saint Augustine Catholic Cemetery
Dallas, Gregory County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2263940, -99.5334467

18. Dallas Hillview Cemetery
Dallas, Gregory County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2271996, -99.5310974

19. Jerusalem Cemetery
Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2341995, -100.1856003

20. Saint Pauls Lutheran Cemetery
Wewela, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0895700, -99.7700300

21. Advent Cemetery
Mellette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4570400, -100.2820100

22. Ascension Chapel Cemetery
Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0656400, -99.9211800

23. Red Hill Cemetery
Hamill, Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7066994, -99.7830963

24. IOOF Cemetery
Gregory, Gregory County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2380000, -99.4480000