Charles Joseph LaMar

Charles Joseph "Chuck" LaMar, age 87, of Albia died Tuesday June 26, 2007 at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia. Charles was born October 22, 1919 in Franklin Township, Monroe County, Iowa to Charles J. and Kathryn (Coady) LaMar. He married Dorothy Walton on June 6, 1948. She died in January of 1983. He later married Wilma Harris on May 28, 1985. Chuck graduated from Albia High School. He was in the US Coast Guard, and served during WWII. He worked for Hy-Vee for 44 years, from 1940-1984. He was the manager of Corning Store for five years before returning to Albia where he retired. He was a 63-year active member of the Howard Cessna Post No. 136 American Legion of Albia, a 63-year member of the Knights of Columbus and a Fourth Degree Knight of Albia. He also served on the Monroe County Conservation Board, and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and loved to play cards with his friends. Chuck is survived by his wife, Wilma of Albia; daughters, Mary Ann (Marty) Baker of West Des Moines, IA, and Joanne Crall of Ankeny; step-children, Robert Harris of Albia, Linda (Dan) Smead of Muscatine, IA, and Jeff (Lisa) Harris of Albia; twelve grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Rosella (Jim) Gilland of Albia, and Marie Granatino of Albia, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Dorothy; three brothers, James, Bernard, and Frances LaMar, and four sisters, Catherine Calef, Sister Saint Catherine, Veronica Guelzow, and Mary Gross. Funeral services will be held Thursday, 10:30 A.M., June 28, 2007 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia, with Rev. Tim Guthridge officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by Howard Cessna Post No. 136 of Albia will follow services at St. Mary's Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will open after 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Albia with a 4:00 P.M. Rosary. There will also be a 7:00 P.M. Christian Wake Service with a Fourth Degree Honor Guard. The family will be present from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Casketbearers will be: John Crall, Kevin Crall, Brian Crall, Shannon Shaw represented by Jason Shaw, Melanie Curran represented by Jay Curran, and Amber Baker represented by Jason Ammons. Honorary Casketbearers are; Stan Gilland, Steve Gilland, Matt Gilland, Tony Gilland, Al Yarkosky, George Teno, and Bernard Crall. A memorial has been established to Welcome Home Soldier Monument.

Charles Joseph LaMar

October 22, 1919 - June 26, 2007