RAPID CITY- Charles J. "Chuck" Mickel, 75, passed away unexpectedly September 17, 2014 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Chuck was born on December 28, 1938 in Winner, SD to John and Carolina (Koellmann) Mickel. He went to school in White River, SD and graduated from White River High School in 1956. Chuck attended the University of South Dakota and graduated with a Master's of Science in Geology. Following graduation, Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for six years, having an assignment in the Pentagon. After being honorably discharged in May of 1969, he applied to the University of South Dakota Law School where he graduated with his Juris Doctorate. During his early years as a lawyer, Chuck worked as a law clerk for a Federal District Judge in Aberdeen, did campaigning for his cousin Senator James Abourezk, and served for a time as Deputy States Attorney for Pennington County. In the late 1970's, Chuck started Mickel Law Practice, and owned it until he retired in 2004. Chuck was very active in the Rapid City Community participating in many local organizations. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge in White River, member of Rapid City's St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and a member of the South Dakota Bar Association. Chuck served a term in the South Dakota Legislature in the mid 1970's, supported the Geology Club at SDSM&T, and was active in the Rapid City Kennel Club where he held a leadership position and trained his own dogs. After retiring, he became actively involved in Habitat for Humanity, donating many hours to this organization; volunteered at the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City donating hours every week, and he was involved in the South Dakota Grasslands Wilderness Coalition. Chuck loved the Black Hills where he took advantage of the outdoors. In his free time he loved to hike, fish, cross country ski, and sailing in his own sailboat. He also loved jazz music. As a young man, and during his years as an attorney, Chuck loved to travel to Europe with his friends. He was very active with his nieces and nephews in Rapid City, following many of their activities. Chuck will be remembered for being a loving brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his brother, Edward (Dolores) Mickel, Farmington, NM; sisters: Kathryn "Katie" (Barry) Jensen, White River, SD; and Helen Burnette, Tulsa, OK; and many nieces and nephews: John Mickel, Valerie Mickel, Jeff Mickel, Vicki Mickel Snyder, John Sprague, Kim Pellettera, Kelly Heck, Wendy Conrad, Katie Bates, and Paige Kelly and many great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kathy Monson Lutes officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with full military honors provided by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Habitat for Humanity and Humane Society of the Black Hills.