March 19, 2024

Richard ‘Dick’ Charls

Richard “Dick” Charls, 84, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at Luther Park Trinity Center from complications of dementia.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Coburn Funeral Home in Prairie City. The family will be present from to 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Prairie City Church of the Brethren. Burial will follow at Waveland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the PC Church of the Brethren, PC Fire Department, PC Ambulance or the PC Historical Society.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.

Dick was born July 10, 1929, to William and Ethel Charls. He was a life-long resident of Prairie City, growing up on a farm south of town. After high school and electronics technical training, he started his own television/radio sales and repair business, Dick Charls TV. Dick proudly served two years in the Marines during the Korean Conflict.

Dick was united in marriage to Barbara Vande Lune on June 4, 1956, and they made their home in Prairie City. Dick was actively involved in city government for more than 40 years, including city council and serving one term as mayor. He also served as a firefighter for many years. Dick was a long time member of the Prairie City Church of the Brethren.

Dick enjoyed many interests over the years including woodworking, photography, shortwave radio, growing flowers, collecting stamps, collecting antique radios and cars including restoring his 1929 Model A Ford. Barb and Dick enjoyed extensive travel in the U.S. and abroad, and his stories and photographs of their adventures were enjoyed by many. Dick had a passion for history, and could build or repair most anything.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, one sister-in-law, four brothers-in-law, a niece and nephew.

Dick will be greatly missed by Barbara, his wife of 57 years; his son, Tim Charls (Connie), and daughter Kathy Dewald (Wade); and their grandchildren, Courtney and Brandon Charls and Spencer and Stephanie Dewald. Dick is also survived by a sister, Eileen Taylor, and brother, Cecil Charls.