Charles Finch, 76, passed away peacefully at his home in Litchfield Thursday June 5, 2025. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Church of St. Philip in Litchfield on June 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service. Burial will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls following lunch. The service will be livestreamed at www.johnsonhagglund.com.
 Chuck was born July 20, 1948, in Algona, Iowa, the third child to Emmett Hegarty and Della (Rezabek) Hegarty Finch. He was baptized at St Cecelia Catholic Church. When Chuck was just 2 years old his father passed away. Chuck went to work with his mom who cooked at the convent. Chuck would help his mom by standing on a chair. This love of being in the kitchen continued throughout his life.
 In 1955, when Chuck was 6 years old Della married Melvin Finch and the family moved to his farm near Bancroft, Iowa, and then to a farm near Woden, Iowa. Melvin adopted the three children in 1957. In early spring of 1959, the family moved to a farm outside of Hoffman. In 1965 Chuck went to Chicago with a friend and his friend’s mother. On this trip he worked his first job at the Cub’s stadium Wrigley Field as an escalator attendant, helping people off and on. In 1967 Chuck graduated from Hoffman High School. Chuck was blessed to have many lifelong friends from his graduating class.
 In the fall of 1967 Chuck enrolled at Staples Community College graduating from the diesel mechanic program. In 1969 Chuck moved with his parents to Litchfield. Chuck was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam December 18, 1970, with a specialty in communications, he was honorably discharged in 1972.
 Chuck married Ruth Herbert on December 30, 1972, at St Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson. The two were each other’s lifelong companions. They were blessed with three children; Carla, Peter and Sarah.
 Chuck worked at the creamery in Watkins for a short time before beginning his decades-long working partnership with his dad in the carpentry trade. Mel and Chuck worked all over the Litchfield and surrounding area. They were known as the “Finch Boys”. Everyone wanted the “Finch Boys” to build for them. During the winter season Chuck did snow removal for many around Litchfield, this is something he truly enjoyed doing. Chuck took over the business after Mel’s retirement in the early 90s. Chuck continued to work as an independent contractor for the next 30 years.
 Chuck installed a good work ethic in his children. They often recall him asking them, if they had done anything productive that day, if they had not, he would find something to do.
 He was an active member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church serving as a money counter, usher, and was known for making excellent egg coffee for the summer bazaars. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, as a 4th degree member. Chuck was also a member of the VFW, VFW Last Man Standing Club, American Legion as well as over 25-year member of the Meeker County Fair Board. Chuck truly enjoyed being part of the preparations and being at the fair during fair time. Chuck also had great love for the Minnesota State Fair; he and Ruthie attended over 50 Minnesota fairs together, often from sunrise to sunset. This love of the fair had been passed down to his daughters and granddaughter. Chuck was an amazing cook; he and Ruthie hosted many holidays over the years. At Christmastime Chuck was busy patiently making many batches of his delicious homemade divinity candy. Something else Chuck and Ruthie enjoyed doing together was going for a drive, when he would jingle the keys, she had better be ready, whether it was to a newly discovered restaurant or to a Minnesota county fair anywhere across the state. Chuck spent the last serval years going to daily coffee with friends and rolling dice. He and Ruthie also enjoyed meals, playing cards and outdoors games with their good friends. Over the past few years, Chuck and his longtime good bubby Mark had a weekly tradition of going for a drive, letting the road take them on a different adventure each week, which they both look forward to.
 Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Ruth, children Carla (Greg) Wilson of Monticello, Pete (Sofia) Finch of Rogers, Sarah (significant other Pierre) of Champlin, three grandchildren Amelia, Lucas, Nicolas, sister Emily Hansen, brother John Finch, sister-in-law Jeanne, nephews, niece and many, many friends.
 He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett Hegarty, Melvin Finch, Della Finch, brother-in-law Harold Hansen, niece and goddaughter Heidi Finch.
 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Phillip’s Church or Disabled American Veterans.