GODWIN, Charles R. (1921-2017)

GODWIN

Posted By: Karon King (email)
Date: 5/31/2017 at 14:35:57

Charles Robert Godwin
(January 26, 1921 - March 31, 2017)

Services for Charles R. Godwin, 96, will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 4, at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Indianola, with visitation held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Indianola.
Charles Robert Godwin was born to Arthur and Metha Godwin on January 26, 1921, in Hamlin, Iowa. The oldest son of six children, he was brother to Evelyn, Roy, Alden, Earl and Janice. Charles graduated from Audubon High School and attended Simpson College in Indianola. Like so many in his generation, World War II caused a change in plans. After being refused by the Army for his flat feet, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, which sent him to finish his degree in Chemistry at Notre Dame. After graduation, he was sent to the island of Saipan as a chemical warfare specialist in the summer of 1945, just prior to war’s end. Chuck saw more action when he was recalled for the Korean Conflict, serving as captain in charge of a transportation unit.
Charles married his beloved wife, Muriel, on January 9, 1955, and they made their home in Indianola, where Chuck was in the family construction business. He served his community on the Recreation Commission as well as the Veterans Memorial Building Commission which built and supervised the town’s first municipal swimming pool. He was a member of Kiwanis and the American Legion. He had a beautiful singing voice, participated in his church choir, and always got a thrill when he heard a good choir sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Chuck was a lifelong learner who enjoyed classic literature, photography and creative writing. He was also an excellent ballroom dancer, a skill he revealed at his granddaughter’s wedding. The last and best home he built was Muriel’s dream home in 1989, where they lived for 20 years.
Chuck was a loving father to Kathy and LeeAnn. Special childhood memories include playing gin rummy after supper, trips to the farm for pony rides, and family vacations to resorts in Minnesota and national parks in the West. Always the dignified gentleman, he had an occasional silly streak that his girls put up with, and his granddaughters later adored. Grandpa Chuck and Grandma Muriel enjoyed their granddaughters immensely, dedicating a bedroom filled with toys and dress up clothes for little girls in their new home. He was excited to welcome the first baby boy into the family with the arrival of their great-grandson, and loved holding all of the great-grandchildren when they came to visit. His youngest, Colton Robert, shares Chuck’s middle name as well as his first two initials.
At the age of 91, Chuck moved into the Good Samaritan Nursing Home to share a room with Muriel. The staff at Good Samaritan enjoyed caring for both of them, and tell stories about his dry sense of humor and his love and devotion for Muriel. He appreciated the staff who cared for him, and asked about their lives. His caretakers describe him as a gentleman and a class act, who always had a friendly hello for other residents. When family visits drew to a close, he would send his love, “Say hello to everyone on the outside.”
Most importantly, on July 1, 2011, both Chuck and Muriel affirmed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Because of God’s great love and grace, we know that Chuck has not perished, but has been called home to heaven where a place has been prepared for him.
Chuck passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017, in Indianola. He is survived by his wife, Muriel; daughters, Kathy (Roger) Kester of Indianola and LeeAnn (Steve) Ollenburg of Davenport; granddaughters Alyssa (Ryan) Downing, Megan Storjohann, Rachel Storjohann (fiancé Jon Davidshofer), Jessica (Sean) Eikenberry and Lindsay Ollenburg; great-grandchildren, Danny, Madalyn and Colton Downing; sister, Janice (George) Pavelis of Richmond, VA; sister-in-law, Lois Godwin of Indianola; eleven nieces and two nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Evelyn, his brothers Roy, Alden and Earl, and his nephew Phil Godwin. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, [http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]