Bethany, MO: Charles Wilford Elder, 89, Bethany, MO passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at a North Kansas City, MO hospital.
He was born on December 15, 1931 in Gilman City, Missouri the son of Johnie and Anna (McAtee) Elder.
Charles served in the United States Army from 1952-1954 and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He then served in the reserves until 1960. He married Faye Holley in 1955 at the home of Sister Etta Rhea in Gilman City where they lived on and worked a farm north of Gilman for several years. He then worked road construction, working on I-29 as it was being built. He later had his own lime truck. Charles then went to work at Modine in Trenton and later he and Faye moved to Trenton, where they lived when he retired in 1993. Charles raised and sold dogs for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing when he was younger and was always working in his garden during the spring and cutting wood in fall. He especially enjoyed time with his grandkids. Charles loved country music and western and square dancing. He later started singing at the local Opry’s and then started his own band, Charlie’s Angels which later became the Elder Family Band. Charles loved to sing and knew all of the old country songs. He especially enjoyed being on stage with all 3 of his kids, singing the oldies. He made many friends through his travels to different dances and shows and loved to visit with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Avis Marshall; brother, Harry Elder; sisters-in-law, Maxine Elder, Pauline Stevenson, and Betty Souders and nephews, Dennis and Tommy Souders.
Charles is survived by his wife of 65 years, Faye (Holley) Elder of the home; sons, Donnie (Darla) Elder, Gallatin, MO, Gary (Jessie) Elder, Bethany, MO; daughter, Lisa (Dwight) Schell, Bethany, MO; 11 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; sister, Eva (Jerry) Henderson, Trenton, MO; sister-in-law, Lorene “Aunt Red” Taylor, Bethany, MO and unofficially adopted daughter, Joyce Fletchall and her husband, Rex.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 1 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Masonic Cemetery, Gilman City, MO. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home where social distancing will be observed and masks are recommended. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com