Charles Taber Whittlesey, age 77, of the San Juan Ridge, passed away on January 8th, 2024. He was born in southern California on May 9th, 1946. Charles moved to the North San Juan area as a young child. During his childhood, he was a student at both Colombia Hill School and Nevada City Elementary. Charles graduated from Nevada Union High School in 1965. He continued his education at the college level throughout his life. Charlie worked in the timber industry, both in the mills and as a timber faller. Some of the locals knew him as the Wildman Barefoot Faller. He married Sherry Skolfield in an impromptu ceremony on a float at the North San Juan Cherry Festival in 2014. They lived peacefully in a cabin in the woods together, where they both passed. He is preceded in death by his parents, Taber and Isabelle Whittlesey, and his daughter, Autumn Whittlesey. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Hannan (Darrell), and his granddaughter, Lily Hannan. He is also survived by his brothers Nick (Cathy), Wayne (Doris), Walt (Mary), and his sister Jean Milano (Frank), in addition to many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for Charlie and Sherry will be held at the NSJ Fire Hall on February 24th at 2:00 p.m.1946 — 2024
