Charles Carswell

Charles (Charlie) Carswell, 87, of Greenwood, Missouri, was born August 30, 1923 in Kansas City to Mary Ester (Waller) and Charles Harry Carswell. He was an only child, and spent his early years on a farm in Archie, Missouri. He departed this life on Tuesday, August 31 at Cedar Valley Health Center in Raytown, Missouri.

Charlie was a US Army WWII veteran. He served in the Army from 1943 until 1946, receiving several decorations and citations.

He graduated from Central High in Kansas City in 1936, attended Manual Trade School, Air Force School, Rolla School of Mines, Graceland College and graduated from Central Missouri State College in 1951.

He met Jean MacDonald while she was attending nursing school, and married her October 30, 1948 at the Community of Christ Stone Church congregation in Independence, MO. They were an unstoppable team with a partnership of love and respect. She preceded him in death on January 31, 2010.

He was an ordained Elder in the Community of Christ Church and attended the Community of Christ Blue Ridge congregation for many years, was active in establishing the Community of Christ Lone Jack congregation, and also attended the Colbern Road congregation and the Pleasant Hill congregation for many, many years. He served in many capacities throughout the years. His church and church family were as important to him as the rest of his family and helped him immensely in both the good and tough times throughout his life.

His life was devoted to providing for his family and friends. He was happiest either figuring out how something might work, or talking about how it worked. He truly was a man of many, many skills and talents and was employed as a machinist, tool maker, in the auto trim business, as a graphic artist, conservation engineer and in "retirement" as a farmer.

He was also preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by four daughters, JoAnne Calvarese and husband Stedman of Bluffton, SC, Linda Brewer and husband Chris of Lee's Summit, MO, Sherre Bowlby and husband Roger of Bluffton, SC, Robin Roberts of Lee's Summit, MO; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at the Pleasant Hill Community of Christ Church. Evangelist Don Carlile and Elder Rolland Hughes of the Community of Christ Church officiated. Graveside military services and interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the VFW Post #3118 Honor Gurard. Casket bearers were Charles Brewer, Courtney Brewer, Roger Bowlby, Stedman Calvarese, Levi Roberts, Trent Rudder, Ty Rudder and Austin Whitaker.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pleasant Hill Community of Christ Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home.