Obituaries : Charles Alexander McElroy

Charles Alexander McElroy, 97, died Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at his residence in Vinton, Iowa.

A private family service will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021, followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, IA. In accordance with Charles' wishes, "a big banquet" for family and friends will be held at Rockford at a later date. A notice will appear in the local paper.

Charles was born February 19, 1924 at Rockford, IA, the son of Lewis A. and Rose Kiefer McElroy. Charles was a graduate of Rockford High School. On December 29, 1947, Charles was united in marriage to Mildred B. Meader at the Rockford Methodist Church.

Charles proudly served in the United States Army during WWII in the NY Hospital Train Unit, stationed at Camp Kilmer, NJ. Charles was a Sgt., escorting wounded military personnel across the country by train.

Charles was engaged in farming until 1956 when he joined the USPS. He was a rural mail carrier until his retirement in 1988.

Charles was a DIY practitioner and an avid outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing were his delights. He enjoyed reading outdoor magazines and dreaming about his next fishing trip until the very end.

Charles is survived by four children: Russell (Marcia) McElroy, Melvin (Christine) McElroy, Susan (Donivan) Anderson and Beth Ann (Thomas) Weigand; six grandchildren: Ian, Megan, Annalisa, Andrew, Alexandra and Cameron; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Lana McElroy.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred; brothers: Robert and William; and sisters: Bernice, Bernadine and Mary.

Memorials may be directed to the Rockford Fossil and Prairie Park Reserve, 1227- 215th Street, P. O. Box 495, Rockford, IA, 50468. The Park is located on Lime Creek where Charles fished his entire life.

Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Charles and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.