Charles E. Sustman

Charles “Chuck” Sustman, 74, of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Chuck was born on June 14, 1952, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the son of Edward F. and Mary K. (Sturm) Sustman. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1970. On September 22, 1978, Chuck married the love of his life Annette M. (Tadych) Helbing at St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. As a bonus, he instantly became a dad that same day to Jon and Sara Helbing.

Chuck worked at John Deere Horicon Works for 30 years. He also spent 25 years working alongside one of his dear friends Earl Stutz doing electrical work for Stutz Electric. Chuck was a faithful member of St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church.

Chuck lived to make Annette happy. They built a beautiful home on fifteen acres. Everything in the home, including much of the home itself, was either made by Chuck, refinished or restored by him. The house and everything inside and outside of it became Chuck’s love letter to Annette. Chuck’s goal was to outlive Annette. He took care of her at home for as long as he could. When he was no longer able to take care of Annette, he visited her as often as he could at The Remembrance Home. His love for her never faded even though her memory did.

In his free time, Chuck enjoyed golfing, caring for his yard and refinishing furniture. Most of all, he loved his grandchildren with all his heart. He couldn’t wait for summer visits from Maddie and Cole. In the fall he would get the John Deere tractor and trailer ready for when the kids came over. The kids would head to the garden, load up the trailer with pumpkins, and go for rides around the property with grandpa. He loved teasing the grandkids and making them feel special whenever they were around. Chuck had a sweet tooth and always made sure there was candy for him and the grandkids in the house. He spent countless hours at baseball fields, football fields, hockey rinks, basketball courts, soccer fields and softball fields cheering on his children and grandchildren from the sidelines.

Chuck was extremely proud of his son Luke’s service in the United States Air Force. After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Luke became a pilot in the Air Force. Luke was deployed many times and flew multiple lifesaving missions while deployed.

Chuck will be deeply missed by his wife, Annette; his children, Jon (Lynn) Helbing of Beaver Dam, Sara (Mick) Hintz of Markesan and Luke (Erin) Sustman of Florida; his grandchildren, Brennan (Josh) Rhea, Allyson (Taylor) Stobbe, Madison (Kaiden) Brittain, Cole Sustman and Brayden Helbing; his great-grandchildren, Callahan and Monroe Rhea; and his siblings, Mary Kay Goetting, Beth (Jim) Repnik, Sue Sustman, Jim (Jane) Sustman, Tom (Cindy) Sustman and Nancy (Dave) Kovalaske. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was greeted in heaven by many family member and friends that preceded him in death.

A memorial gathering for Chuck will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Road in Beaver Dam.

To allow family members who live outside the area time to attend, Chuck’s memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 300 West St., Beaver Dam, with a memorial gathering at the church prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations in Chuck’s name may be directed to St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church or the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Chuck’s family wants to thank the Hospice staff that made it possible for Chuck to live at home with dignity in his final days and hours. They would never have been able to take care of Chuck without all their care and compassion.