Charles ‘Cuz’ Mutchka

Charles ‘Cuz’ Mutchka, 85, of Delaware City, DE peacefully passed away on May 17, 2017 surrounded by his family. Charles was born in the coal mining town of Indiana, PA to the late Michael and Anastasia ‘Stella’ Mutchka and raised by his step-parents Peter and Katherine Barosky.

From 1952 to 1954 he honorably served in the Army as a medic and MP during the Korean War. His military awards and citations included the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Stars, United Nations Medal, National Defense Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return home to Pennsylvania in 1954 he met the love of his life, Pauline Stretchko, to whom he was married for 59 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed building model airplanes, gardening, baseball, making homemade brandy, watching classic westerns, listening to polka music, traveling, telling jokes, and repeatedly watching Cash Cab reruns until he knew all the trivia answers (nearly convincing his wife that he was a genius and should be a contestant on Jeopardy). His various jobs included working in a coal mine, steel mill, and at a window company, but for the majority of his career he was employed as a machine operator for a chemical plant.

His Army experience was reflected in his tough exterior shell and attitude when necessary but behind that was a kindhearted, hardworking, devoted husband, father, grandfather, grandfather-in-law, and great grandfather who clearly loved his family more than anything. He will truly be missed!

Charles is survived by his wife Pauline, step-sister Anne Szymusiak, his daughter Lisa (Greg), son Jim (Lisa), grandson Matt (Rachel), his great-granddaughter Leah and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to send a special note of gratitude to all the nurses and patient techs at the Christiana Care Heart and Vascular Center Sections E and C. Their professionalism and compassion over these past few months were exceptional and our family sincerely appreciated their daily care and support.