Iles, Charles "Chuck" W. 1933-2011

ILES, BOYD, PARKER, ERICKSON, TISOR, CONWAY, EGGERT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/20/2021 at 18:49:24

Charles W. "Chuck" Iles
October 11, 1933 - December 25, 2011
Born in Des Moines, Iowa
Resided in Des Moines, IA

Charles W. "Chuck" Iles went to his heavenly home with family present early Christmas morning 2011 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He was 78 and living happily at home with his beloved wife of over 28 years Joanne. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. A reception will follow at the church.

Chuck was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Charles F. and Lurleen Iles on October 11, 1933. He married Joanne Boyd on July 8, 1983 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Chuck played the piano and organ by ear since he was five years old. His mother took him to a movie at the Uptown Theater in Des Moines where there was a melody played as a theme. When they got home little Chuckie sat down at the piano and played that theme beautifully, all over the keyboard and in different keys! As Chuck grew up he took lessons so he could play classical music, and after that he took up jazz. He enjoyed playing the organ and piano for civic organizations, business conventions, parties and church. Chuck and Joanne played duets, with Joanne on the piano and Chuck on the organ. They made beautiful music together.

Chuck graduated from Roosevelt High School, Class of 1951. He attended Drake University in Des Moines for a year, then transferred to the University of Iowa, and graduated with a degree in Business. He then attended and graduated from the St. Louis School of Mortuary Science, a school in preparation for his dream of becoming a Funeral Director since he was in high school.

Chuck established Westover Funeral Home in 1960. Over the years he went on to found the Iles Funeral Homes which today includes five additional locations, including historic Dunn's Funeral Home on Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

Other hobbies include boating, building, traveling, tennis tournaments with Joanne, running and working out at the YMCA when he was younger. He also enjoyed over the years attending Westminster Presbyterian Church (former Elder) in Des Moines and the United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida. Most of all, Chuck enjoyed spending time with the love of his life Joanne in Des Moines, Lake Panorama and Naples, Florida, especially the last three years when she provided loving and devoted care for him.

Chuck's professional affiliations include the Iowa Funeral Directors Association of which he was Secretary for many years, National Funeral Directors Association, Preferred Funeral Directors International, Selected Independent Funeral Homes and various other organizations that pertain to his business.

Chuck was a Mason for over 50 years. He was invested with the honor of being a 32o KCCH Mason in 1983. He was a member of Acanthus Masonic Lodge, the Panora Masonic Lodge and the Naples Billiken Club. Chuck was Past Master of Kadosh of the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory. He was a member of Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and the Royal Order of Jesters (Des Moines Court 46). He was a long-time member of the Des Moines Rotary Club Intl. and for the last 20 years the Naples Rotary Club. He was a former Board member of the BBB of Iowa and a long-standing member of the Reciprocity Breakfast Club. Chuck enjoyed the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, the Glen Oaks Country Club, the Club Pelican Bay and the Des Moines Embassy Club.

With Joanne, Chuck was a generous benefactor to many nonprofit institutions, and he was a strong proponent of philanthropy and community service. Chuck will be remembered for his business acumen, total integrity, quiet faith, his sense of humor, especially stories, and his dedication to improving the community. Chuck was a serious but also a very funny man.

Those left to cherish this man of integrity and honesty include his wife Joanne; son Charles Michael (Kim) Iles of Heath, TX; son Mark (Lori) Iles of Clive; daughter Diana (Craig) Iles Parker of Mill Valley, CA; their mother Pat Iles of Urbandale; brother John Iles of Des Moines; sister Denise Sue (Tom) Erickson of Clear Lake; eight grandchildren: Morgan, Erin and Mackenzie Iles of Heath, TX; David, Sarah and Katie Iles of Clive; and Chris and Andrew Parker of Mill Valley, CA; niece Andrea (Brian) Tisor of Waukee; nephew Brandon (Kerri) Conway of West Des Moines; brother-in-law Richard Boyd of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Janet Eggert of Mt. Prospect, IL; and many employees and friends. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Monday, January 2, 2012 after 4 p.m. and the family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Iles Funeral Homes – Dunn's Chapel, Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, Iowa or the Naples United Church of Christ, Naples, Florida. Condolences will be welcomed on our website www.ilesfuneralhomes.com. Private family interment will be at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ DUNN'S CHAPEL.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Charles Iles, please visit our Tribute Store. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register 01 Jan 2012.