Charles HertichCharles Hertich, 70, of O'Fallon, Ill., born on September 27, 1946 in Chester, Ill., died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 in his home with his family at his side, after a 5-month battle with lymphoma.The only boy among five sisters, Charlie followed the family tradition and became a veterinarian, studying at the University of Illinois. Home from college over break, he met the former Susan Schwarz at a club in Belleville. They later married and had two children: Alex, born in 1969, and Jocelyn, born in 1978. Charlie was a partner at Belleville Animal Clinic taking care of dogs, cats, and animals of all kinds -including an owl and a cockatiel, who took up residence in his home- working there until his retirement in 2008.Charlie loved the outdoors and spent as much free time as possible sailing on Carlyle Lake, driving on winding roads, and hiking, preferably on a mountainside with a sweeping "vista." After his retirement he was able to indulge his passions, and he and Susan regularly spent part of the year in Estes Park, Colo., enjoying spectacular mountain views, winter snowshoeing, and humidity-free summers. He loved food and was an accomplished cook, frequently spending the afternoon preparing new recipes for his family. His retirement also gave him time to spend with his three grandchildren, Mirabelle, Seneca, and Cyrus. Incredibly indulgent, he loved playing with them- from spinning them around and tossing them into the air when they were young, as he had previously enjoyed with his own children, to playing house, ball, or Legos.A beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, doctor, and church member, he will be deeply missed.He was preceded in death by his parents Charles D. and Florence, nee Hennrich, Hertich and his sister Carol Hertich.Surviving are his wife, Susan Hertich of O'Fallon; son Alexander (Liza Decoteau) Hertich of Peoria, Ill.; daughter Jocelyn (Yvonne Robinson) Hertich of O'Fallon; grandchildren Mirabelle Decoteau-Hertich, Seneca Charles Hertich, and Cyrus Joseph Hertich; sisters Charlotte (Tom) Tiernan, Linda (Ken) Zaharski, Cynthia (Robert) Anna, and Christi (Craig) Rayburn.Memorial donations are suggested to ( www.lls.org) or to National Park Foundation ( www.nationalparks.org). The guest book may be signed at www.wfh-ofallon.com.Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, Ill., and 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon. Funeral: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at the church, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Burial will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery.WOLFERSBERGER FUNERAL HOME, O'Fallon, Ill.