Charlie Klinkhardt (nee Brueckner, formerly Melvin) died peacefully in her home on June 8th, 2026. She was 70 years old and will be sorely missed.

She was born in 1956 to Charles Bruckner and Anna Lorene Arft and raised in Ballwin, MO. She attended Manchester School and Parkway West High School where she played bassoon, marched and caught for the local girls' softball team. In her youth, Charlie enjoyed sports, sun, and the company of friends. Her work ethic was an inspiration to all, achieving both an undergrade degree and an MBA from Maryville University as a working single mother. Her house was open and welcoming, with a single unwritten rule: 'If you can find it, you can eat it.' She remarried in 2008 to Jim Klinkhardt and executed a rare double name change, shedding her former Charlene to fully embrace her identity as Charlie. In her later years she became a devoted grandmother to Teddy and Annie, relocating from her hometown to Cincinnati, OH as she approached retirement. She could most reliably be found enjoying the pool with her family or coordinating childcare arrangements with her daughter and son-in-law. She returned home to St. Louis shortly after she was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer to begin treatment at Siteman Cancer Center. A project manager to the end, she approached this chapter with the same zeal for details, timeliness, and boundless determination.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 20 years, Jim Klinkhardt, her daughter, Lisa (Charlie) Kircher, her grandchildren Teddy and Annie Kircher, three sisters, two nieces and four nephews. The family is grateful to the team at Siteman Cancer Center and Missouri Baptist Medical Center for their tireless efforts and BJC Hospice for peace in her final days.

Services: Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Friday, June 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery following the funeral service at 1:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network . Friends may sign the family's on-line guest book at Schrader.com