Charles J. Stecher, Sr., aged 89 years of Linwood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2009 in the Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point. Born in Riverside, he was the son of the late Edward Stecher and the late Josephine (nee Krug) Stecher. Mr. Stecher was raised in Pleasantville, and was a 1939 graduate of the Pleasantville High School. He had served his country proudly ; as a technician fifth grade in the United States Army, during World War II - where he was the recipient of the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon as well as the Good Conduct and the Victory Medals. Along with his late brother Edward, they had both owned and operated Stecher Jewelers - Edward's business was in Pleasantville, and Charles worked as a hand engraver and jeweler, and had operated his jewelry businesses for 45 years in both Atlantic City and Ocean City. Mr. Stecher loved to play golf, and he was a charter member at the Greentree Golf Club in Mays Landing. He was an avid stamp collector and he enjoyed skiing at Pico in Vermont. Mr. Stecher was a life member of the VFW Post # 8098 in Egg Harbor Township and the American Legion Post in Pleasantville. He loved spending time with his grandsons and taking them to air shows - and he was referred to as the " Master " at the art of puttering and tinkering around. Survived by his loving wife of 66 years Charlotte “ Tess ” ( nee Fialkowski ) Stecher, his daughter Carole S. Huettig of Pinehurst, NC and his son Charles J. Stecher Jr., and his wife Tracy, of Somers Point as well as his two grandsons Tim Stecher and Todd Stecher, and many nieces and one nephew. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, June 11, 2009 from 10:00 AM. to 11:00 AM., in Our Lady of Sorrows R.C. Church, Poplar Avenue at Wabash Avenue in Linwood, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Interment will then follow in the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery on Route 50 in Estell Manor. In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions in Mr. Stecher’s name are respectfully requested forwarded to the Palliative Care Unit – c/o: Shore Memorial Hospital at 1 East New York Avenue in Somers Point, NJ 08244.