Charles “Charlie” M. Sopa, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, June 21, 2017 in Amherst.

He was born Nov. 13, 1940, in Amherst, a son of Charles Sr. and Susan (Palash) Sopa.

He attended rural Polley School, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel School and graduated from Amherst High School in 1959.

Charlie married Janice Wysocki June 8, 1968, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the town of Lanark.

He lived his entire life on his Buena Vista family farm, which he purchased in 1965. He farmed until his retirement in 2006.

In his retirement, he continued to help his son, Bart, on the farm and remained living there. He also much enjoyed the summers operating pea and bean pickers for Del Monte until his health began to fail in 2014. He put up a strong fight against cancer.

Charlie, also known as “Butch” or “Junior,” did not have much time for anything beyond farming and his family. He was a 24/7 farmer.

He also was a charter member in 1958 of the Portage County chapter of the National Farmers Organization. He sought to help organize farmers for “cost of production plus a reasonable profit.”

He enjoyed snowmobiling locally, riding the ATV for farming purposes and riding his JD Gator. He loved polka music, the Packers and the Brewers. He most enjoyed his children and grandchildren at home, family events and their activities. He will be dearly missed by all of his loving family and many friends.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Janice Sopa of Amherst; five children, Charles III “Chuck” (Karen) Sopa, Plover, Jill (Wallace) Nemeth, Plover, Kelly (fiancé Javier Cipriano) Sopa, Stevens Point, Bart (Sarah) Sopa, Amherst, and Jolene (Ben Timdal) Sopa, Iola; 11 grandchildren, Brittany (Kip) Gutke, Almond, Tyler, Marissa and Kaitlyn Sopa, Plover, Haley and Hope Nemeth, Plover, Jazlyn Cipriano, Stevens Point, Xavier Cipriano, Wisconsin Rapids, Rebecca Hendrickson, Wisconsin Rapids, Rachel Kluver and Faith Sopa, Amherst; two great-grandchildren, Marley Gutke, Almond, and Jayden Wallace, Wisconsin Rapids; three sisters, Lorraine Studinski, Stevens Point, Bernice (Steve) Haka, Plover, and Marian Donovan, Lodi; one brother-in-law, Ronald Kontney, Muskego; one sister-in-law, Sharon Sopa, New Berlin; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Sr. and Susan Sopa; twin grandsons, Clayton James and Evan John Sopa; six brothers, Clarence, Harry (Phyllis), Myron (Maryann), Richard, Gregory (Joanne), and Donald Sopa; two sisters, Irene (Frank) Pogorzelski and Ernestine Kontney; and three brothers-in-law, Stanley Koziczkowski, Rhody Studinski and George Donovan.

A Memorial Mass was held Tuesday, June 27, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church – Fancher. Rev. Dan Hackel presided. Burial of cremains was held at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery.

The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged.