Shirley, Charles Edgar (1937 - 2023)

SHIRLEY, OWENS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/4/2023 at 18:12:20

Name of deceased: Charles Edgar Shirley

Aged: 85 yrs, 7 mo, 21 days

Residence: Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Born: Nov. 8, 1937; rural Munterville, Wapello County, IA

Died: June 29, 2023; Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: No services.

Survived by: Children, Lori (spouse, Lee) of Ames, IA, Jolene (spouse, David) of Johnstown, CO, and Sam (spouse, Brinda) of Walnut, IA; grandchildren, Brandi, Dan, Skylar, Luke; sister, Joyce (spouse, Marvin), former wives, Barbara and Trudy; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Paul and Isabell (nee Owens) Shirley; siblings, Lawrence, Laura, Jean, Esther, Ruth, Stella, Robert, Keith and John

Education: Attended rural schools in Wapello County before graduating as Valedictorian in Chelsea (IA) High School with the Class of 1955. Two important high school remembrances were being a cheerleader and carefully constructing a walnut desk in shop class, which he proudly used for the rest of his life. Following high school, Charles attended Iowa State University, graduating with a BS degree in Agronomy in 1959. As an upper classman, Charles enjoyed serving as a Resident Assistant in Friley Hall. He remembered his 2 years of mandatory early Saturday morning drills in ROTC less enthusiastically.

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: no information provided

Marriages: (1) Barbara DeLong; date not provided; Lytton, IA (2) Trudy Lewis; 1989; Farrar, IA

Employment: Was a lifelong farmer and soil conservationist. His career began as a farmer with his father and brother, John. This was followed by 30 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service (now NRCS). His initial responsibilities were in the Benton SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District), followed by successive promotions to Iowa (County) SWCD, Franklin SWCD and West Pottawattamie SWCD. In 1979, Charles and his family were invited to Washington, DC where he received a national USDA award for excellence in soil conservation. His federal career culminated in the State office in Des Moines, IA. Post-NRCS, Charles became a licensed real estate appraiser, having his own company, CES-LTD. Throughout both careers, Charles farmed on the side.

Hobbies/Interests: no information provided

Sources: knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com