He was born Dec. 23, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, a son of Charles and Calista (Andrews) Stocklen.
Charles grew up in New Britain, Connecticut, and served as a. U.S. Army clerk at Fort Dix during World War II. After the war, he met and married his wife of 61 years, Merilyn (Norton). He earned his degree in North Dakota and then taught high school math there and later in East Granby, Connecticut. He and Merilyn raised their children in Hartland, Connecticut, where they lived for 51 years.
Charles retired early from teaching to follow his desire to create beautiful and useful objects in wood. His clocks, tables, cabinets and many smaller pieces were sold out of his home workshop, or at a local gallery. They exist today as a reminder of Charles and his skill, vision and hard work.
He was an avid gardener, and could build or fix just about anything.
In 2011, Charles and Merilyn moved to Maine to be closer to their children and were welcomed into the First Congregational Church of Kennebunkport, where they have actively participated and met many new friends.
Charles is survived by: his wife, Merilyn; five daughters, Sarah Alechnowicz of Peak’s Island, Janet Ledoux and her husband, Michael of Biddeford, Ruth Cote and her husband, Jean of Saco, Amy Stocklen and her partner, Tim King of Shoreham, Vermont, and Carol Stocklen of Biddeford. There are four grandchildren, Caitlin Brown, Aili Alechnowicz, Jeffrey Cote and Samantha Cote, and two great-granddaughters, Ana Rose and Calista He has three siblings, Beverly Schrieber, Mary Stocklen and Jean McQuillan, and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the First Congregational Church in Kennebunkport. Burial will be in the spring.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the First Congregational Church of Kennebunkport, Pipe Organ Fund, 141 North St., Kennebunkport, Maine 04046.
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