Charles "Chuck" Frederick Vyhnalek, 81, passed away unexpectedly on August 3, 2019 at 10:59 PM. He was surrounded by his loving family as he passed at Bryan Health West. Chuck was born on June 16, 1938 to Emil "Bud" and Olga (Mundt) Vyhnalek in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete where he was baptized, confirmed, and united in marriage to Patricia Armstrong on June 24, 1961. To this union three children were born, Andrea, Craig, and Allison. He attended Northward Elementary School and graduated from Crete High School in 1956. As a young boy he began working for his uncle at Keystone Grocery and then continued at Western Auto in Crete. He then started working for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads retiring in 2000 as the Division Head of Contracts and Lettings. Chuck joined the Crete Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in September of 1960. During his 59 years of service, he held the offices of Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and served as the department President for 30 years. He served on the Crete City Council from 1976-1988 and 2002-present. In his retirement Chuck continued to be very active in CVFD, responding to many, many fires, rescues, and ambulance transfers. He was always very proud of his prompt response times and he was consistently one of the top responders. He was instrumental in training young firefighters in pump operations and was a role model and mentor to many. In recent years, Chuck found enjoyment driving a school bus for Crete Public Schools. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pat of Crete; daughter Andrea (Brad) Heffelfinger of Papillion; son Craig (Tonja) Vyhnalek and daughter Allison Vyhnalek of Wilber; his treasured grandchildren Nicholas, Megan, and Jacob Heffelfinger and Zachary, Cameron, and Garrett Vyhnalek; his grandpups Mollie, Sadie, Bojangles, and greatgrandpup Jäger; sister Suzie (Richard) Znamenacek of Lincoln; sister-in-law Noreen (Wally) Wild of Crete; brother-in-law Arnold Henning of Lincoln; sister-in-law Marge Armstrong of Columbus; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family including a very special great-great niece Caitlyn Yost of Crete. Preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law Galen and Evelyn Armstrong; sister-in-law LeAnn Henning; brothers-in-law Bob and Darrell Armstrong. Services: Tuesday, August 6, 2019, 3:30 PM, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Crete. Viewing beginning Tuesday, 2:00 PM at the church.  There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is handling arrangements.