Charles LeRoy CLAUDE

CLAUDE, DRAEGER, ADREON, FISHER, BOSWORTH, BERNHARD, JOHNSON, HENSCHEN, GARMAN, FREIBERG, MCCLUSKEY, KNORR, HUGHES, WHITE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/2/2013 at 17:05:27

November 4, 1917 --- January 26, 2008

Charles L. Claude, 90, of Corwith passed away Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Westview Care Center in Britt, Iowa. Funeral services for Charles Claude will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Corwith with Pastor Kay Wold officiating. Burial will be in Corwith Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, January 28, 2008 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel 178 Center Street West in Britt and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Charles LeRoy Claude was born November 4, 1917 to Rose (Draeger) and Henry Claude. His father, Henry, was killed tragically when Charlie was three years old. He attended country school, but because he was needed to help with the farm and work many other jobs to help earn money to support the family, he only was able to finish the 8th grade. In his lifetime, he worked for many people, too numerous to mention. He worked for several farmers and mechanics. He earned enough money to buy his first convertible car with a rumble seat. He would talk so often about his encounters with falling asleep at the wheel and waking in the ditch. Also about his experience with getting hit by lightning and surviving. He married Roseland Adreon on March 30, 1941. A simple ceremony with Roseland's sister, Lurlia and her husband Ray Fisher, standing at their sides. In this union, three children were born, Charlotte, Phyllis and Terry. Charlie enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in 1942 and served his country as a pilot of the "Flying Fortress B-17G Bomber plane. It was at this time, that he received his college education with degrees. He flew twenty missions over Germany and other countries in Europe. Many times he saw his buddies fall to the enemy, but his bravery and strong will brought him home. We all have heard his many stories of his missions and the places he has been and seen. We will all cherish each and every memory he shared. We never got tired of hearing them over and over again. His life was filled with so many different experiences that he loved to share.

When returning to the United States and Corwith, Iowa, Charlie worked for the City of Corwith from 1946-1968. At that time, he purchased a plumbing business, which became "Claude's Plumbing & Heating. Charlie employed his son, Terry, with the business for nearly 18 years. Charlie and Rosie operated the business until his retirement in 1996. Through these years, he also served several terms of the Mayor for the City of Corwith, totaling nearly 20 years combined.
On January 30, 1999, his wife, Rosie died as a result from open-heart surgery. He lost his life's partner, but with the help of family and his daughter, Charlotte, he overcame another battle. He loved doing odd jobs, along with his yard work, woodworking and visiting with friends and neighbors who passed by. His daughter, Charlotte, continued to live with him in the home he built himself until his health began to fail. His years with fighting the many episodes with pneumonia, was finally taking its toll. He entered Westview Care Center in Britt, Iowa following a serious case of pneumonia, required him to have a feeding tube inserted in the fall of 2007. Shortly thereafter, Charlotte also became a resident of the Care Center, sharing a room with her Dad. The really enjoyed being together making all kinds of new friends and sharing their stories and experiences. On January 22, 2008 Charlie fought the battle of his life against pneumonia, but lost his short fight on January 26, 2008. Charlie will always be remembered as a "Hero", a "Great Dad", a "Great Grandfather", a "Great Brother", and a "Great Uncle." He always had time to listen and guide his family the best way he knew how.

He left this world, leaving behind his three children: Charlotte, Phyllis (Marvin) Bosworth, and Terry (Tammy) Claude. He also left behind, three grandchildren: Jason (Kaylin) Bosworth, Andrea (Andy) Bernhard and Sybil (Kent) Johnson. He adored his eight great-grandchildren: Kalib, Kourtney, Kealey, Jaycee, Tyler, Kallon, Jaydin and Calista. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law, Rena and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Rose (Draeger) Claude Henschen, his Father Henry and his stepfather Julius; his wife, Rosie, three brothers: Fred and wife, Blanche, Albert and Walter; two sisters-in-law Erma Garman and Lurlia Fisher; four brothers-in-law: Glen Adreon, Leon and wife, Maxine, Phillip and wife, Margaret Adreon, Ray Fisher and Larry Freiberg; two step-sisters Velma and Lloyd McCluskey and Violetta and Amos Hughes; two nieces Shirley Knorr and Rita White and a nephew, Ronald Adreon.

Ewing Funeral Home
http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries.php?id=231