Charles John Rosenthal, 77, of Cherokee passed away Friday June 26, 2026 at his home.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 1, at Boothby Funeral Home. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee. Military rites were performed by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Charley was an avid lover of planes and frequently went to airshows, especially if the Thunderbirds were flying, since he was once stationed in the Airforce at Indian Springs, Nev. Charley also loved trains, and had a large collection of model trains.
On May 31, Charley and his son Jon went to watch the Union Pacific’s last large steam engine “BigBoy” pull into Denison. Charley was also very fond of driving an 18-wheeler and hauling propane for Larson Oil, and even though he hadn’t driven one in a very long time, he still had a CDL with a hazardous endorsement.
Charley is known to many Cherokee residents for working at the post office as a mail carrier and a clerk, retiring in 2007. In his retirement he found time to spend with family and longtime friends Joey Keck and Hedgie Brandt.
Charles is survived by his sisters, Judith Rosenthal of Cherokee and Shirley (Ken) Kirby of Decorah; son Jon Rosenthal (Monica) of Sioux City; daughter Jennifer Peterson of Alta; granddaughters: Kara Rosenthal, Samantha Rosenthal and Melinda Peterson; and grandson Christian Peterson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Loretta Rosenthal.
