SHELLSBURG: Charles Frank Kotouc, 73, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2026 at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton with Pastor Darrian Adkins officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to the service. Interment will be held following the service at Evergreen Cemetery.

Charles was born on November 9, 1952, to Jerry and Julia (Cohrt) Kotouc. He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton in 1971 where he was a star basketball player for the Vinton Vikings who were the WAMAC conference champions three years in a row. He worked as a grocery picker for Nash Finch from 1982 to 2012.

He loved classic cars and attending car shows. Charles drove his red ’65 Impala SS Convertible everywhere. He enjoyed finding parts at swap meets and junkyards. He also enjoyed restoring toy tractors and building models, and in his younger years restored furniture. He was a huge Jeff Gordon fan. Charles was also a fan of WW2 and military history.

He is survived by his children, Michael Kotouc, Scott Kotouc, and Lisa Kotouc; his grandchildren, Vannessa Kotouc, Natalie Kotouc, Cole Kotouc, and Melia Kotouc; and his great-grandchildren, Lady May and Dean.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Julia; and his infant son, Jeffrey in 1975.

Online condolences at Phillipsfuneralhomes.com.