Charles Wilbur Chewning

Charles Wilbur Chewning, 96, of Keokuk, Iowa, died October 17, 2018, at 12:50 AM at the Montrose Health Center, surrounded by his family. Charles was born on October 2, 1922, in rural Clark County, Missouri, a son of Everard William Chewning and Linnie Sturgeon Chewning. He married Marjorie Darlene Washburn on September 18, 1948 at the St. Michael's Rectory in Kahoka, MO. They moved to Keokuk, and resided there throughout their married life. During their 68 years of marriage, they maintained their special tradition of spending every Christmas in their own home. Survivors include his daughter, Janice L. Justice and her husband Rick, of Kahoka, MO; his grandson Jeremiah R. Justice and his wife Jessica of Kahoka, Mo; and great-granddaughter Hali Anna Justice; sister-in-law Phyllis Chewning of St. Ann, MO; brother-in-law Andrew O'Day of Wayland, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews, cousins, and many close friends. Charles worked a variety of forestry and agricultural jobs early in his career. After moving to Keokuk, he worked at General Mills, then later in the appliance repair field. He then worked for the City of Keokuk, until his retirement. In his later years, Charle...[more]

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perated a small professional lawn care business. As a teenager, Charles joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Camp), working in Lewis and Clark Counties in Missouri, and also in Idaho. This work included clearing brush and trees for roadways, and planting trees and sowing grass in areas needing conservation work. A World War II Army Veteran, he served in the Asiatic Theater in Hawaii and Saipan. He served as truck driver and a toxic gas handler, assembling and loading bombs from 1943-1945. He reached the level of T-5 technician and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a member of All Saints Church in Keokuk, IA. Charles was a founding member and an officer of the Lee County Credit Union. Charles was a staunch supporter of veterans' organizations. Charles and Marje served as foster parents for over 40 children, and were named Foster Parents of Iowa in 1988. They both volunteered at the Keokuk Public Library. As Charles helped Marje compile accurate and thorough family histories, both pursued their interests in genealogy. He was an avid reader, even late in life, listening to Audio Books for the Blind. A keen sports fan, Charles had a penchant for his favorite teams and their statistics. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marjorie on March 1, 2017; three brothers, Virgil, Paul, and Joseph; and two sisters, Rosalie, and Margaret. Charles was always known as a jack-of-all-trades, with family and friends looking to him for wisdom and assistance on many projects throughout the years. He was mechanically inclined enabling him to build and repair a variety of vehicles and household items. As his family and friends would attest, Charles was a man of steadfast conviction and honor. Throughout his lifetime, taking care of others was of utmost importance to him. Charles was truly a ranking member of the "Greatest Generation". Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10 AM at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk. Burial with full military rites will follow at Keokuk National Cemetery. Visitation services will be held Sunday, October 21, with family meeting friends from 6-8 PM at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center on 1212 Concert St., in Keokuk. Memorials may be made to the Keokuk Public Library or Iowa Books for the Blind.