OBITUARY: Charles Raymond Church, 1920-2000, Mitchell County, Iowa





                              Charles Church

Charles Raymond Church, 80, died peacefully at his home in Stacyville, Iowa,
with his loving family near, early on May 5, 2000.

Charles was born Feb. 10, 1920, on a farm near Osage to Raymond Dunham and
Cecile (Hunter) Church.

He worked on farms in the Little Cedar area until his service in the U.S.
Army from August 1942 until November 1945. He served with distinction,
achieving the rank of sergeant and received two Bronze Stars for his
bravery in battles in France and Germany.

Charles was united in marriage to Helen A. Simon of Stacyville, on June 17,
1948. They began farming near Little Cedar that year. In 1951, they moved
to a farm they eventually purchased near Stacyville. During his farming
career, Charles served on the Board of Directores of the Stacyville
Cooperative Creamery for 21 years and as president of that organization.
Charles was a member of the Stacyville American Legion Post 569 and was
the post commander for one year. He was also a member of the Eagles Club
in Austin.

Charles was an avid bowler for many years in Osage and in Stacyville. As
a farmer, he had little time or interest in golf, but upon his retirement
in 1983, it became his favorite recreation. He loved golfing with his wife
Helen, his many friends and his family. He belonged first to the Riceville
Country Club and then to the St. Ansgar Country Club.

Survivors include his wife Helen of Stacyville; brother Rolland (Bub) Church
of Osage; three sons: Dennis (Mary-Lou) Church of Madison, Wis.; David
(Arlene) Church of Stacyville; Dean (Liana) Church of rural Osage; two
daughters Karen Church of Burnsville and Mary (Steve) Wilder of St. Ansgar;
six grandsons and six granddaughters.

Preceding Charles in death were his parents, Ray and Cecile Church, sister
Vera Hickey, grandson Phillip Church and neice, Sandra (Church) Newton.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, at the Visitation Catholic
Church in Stacyville, the Rev. John Moser officiating.

Interment will be in the Visitation Catholic Cemetery, with military honors
by the Stacyville American Legion Post 569.

The Champion Funeral Home of Osage is in charge of the arrangements.





                  Submitted to IAGENWEB by Kathy Pike

     Not to be copied for commerical use.  Copyright 2005 K. Pike