Charles William "Chuck" Wadlow, 88, of Willard, Mo. entered the gates of Heaven on Sunday morning, December 13, 2015, in the Ash Grove Healthcare Facility.

Charles was born on the family dairy farm in Willard, Mo. on January 4, 1927. He grew up, along with his older brother and younger sister, helping his parents run their dairy and take care of the farm. After graduating from Willard High School in 1944, he served in the United States Coast Guard/Merchant Marines aboard the SS Mission San Antonio until 1946. After his military service, he attended Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) and upon graduation, went to work for General Motors.

Charles married Joann Mann on December 16, 1950. They had two daughters, Gail and Ann. He worked for General Motors for 35 years. retiring in 1988.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Joann; by his brother, Tom Wadlow, and sister, Jean Wadlow Corlett; and by his parents, T.W. and Helen Wadlow all of Willard, Mo. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands: Gail and Duane Maphies, Monett, Mo., Ann and Don Pippin, Galena, Mo.; Granddaughter, Manndi DeBoef, Springfield, Mo. two Great-Grandsons: Liam and Waylan DeBoef, Springfield, Mo.; Granddaughter, Lori Pippin, Ashland, Or.; Grandson, Bryan Pippin, Willard, Mo.; sister-in-law, Ruth Neubert, Granada Hill, California; Sister-in-law, Sue Wadlow, Springfield, Mo.

Charles continued his love of farming throughout his life and upon retirement from General Motors, continued to farm part-time. He and Joann loved to travel together and to spend time with their family. He taught young people's Sunday School for many years, and served as Deacon and Elder at St. James Church in St. James, Mo. He was most recently a member of Rose Hill Baptist Church in Willard, where he was very active in their choir. He loved to sing in church, especially in the choir, and he sang in each church he attended. Charles loved both high school and college basketball, and he and his friends attended the MSU Bears games faithfully. He also greatly enjoyed being a team sponsor each year for the high school basketball tournaments and was such a kind influence on all the young people he had contact with.

Charles lived his life to serve others, especially in his community, through church programs, the Chambers of Commerce, the public school system, and the Greene County Library Board. Anyone who knew him knows he felt a duty to serve, but he also especially loved working the elections because he got to see and chat with everyone he knew. He had many friends and was loved by everyone who knew him.

Services will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Wilson Brim Daniel Chapel, Ash Grove with Duane Maphies officiating with interment following in Wesley Cemetery, north of Willard, with
Military Honors provided my Missouri Honors Team.

Visitation will be at 12:00 p.m. until just prior to services.

Memorial contributions may be given, in his memory, to the Alzheimer's Research fund or to the donors choice.