Charles E. Phelps

Charles E. Phelps, the second of four children of Jesse and Stella Phelps, was born at Henry, Illinois on October 1, 1925. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1943 and attended Iowa State College where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Charles and Marlene Johnson were married on January 23, 1949 in Malvern. They made their first home near Carlisle, Iowa where Charles farmed and raised cattle. Their marriage was blessed with four children: John Charles and Thomas Jesse, while living at Carlisle, and Joseph Lawrence and Ruth Anne, after Charles and Marlene moved to Charles' home farm north of Hastings, Iowa in 1955.

Charles served as the National Livestock Feeders Association President from 1967-1969 and served on the board of the National Cattlemen's Association. Charles was involved in banking and was part of a group that bought the Silver City Bank in 1968. They later moved the charter to Glenwood and changed the name to Mills County State Bank where Charles was a director for over 40 years. He also served on the Board of Directors of Hawkeye Bancorp and their Executive Committee for many years. In 1984 he and his brothers and sister bought the Swea City State Bank where he served as a director. Charles served as treasurer of the Malvern School District for twenty years and was involved in the construction of the Chantry Elementary School addition and the construction of the Malvern High School. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs.

Charles and Marlene were married for 53 years when Marlene died on June 16, 2002 in Red Oak, Iowa. Charles remained living on the farm until 2009 when he moved to Red Oak. He passed away on October 25, 2011 at the age of 86 years and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marlene; sons, Thomas and Joseph; and daughter Ruth.

Charles is survived by his son John Phelps and wife Peg of Hastings; grandchildren, Jess Phelps and wife Elizabeth of Boston, MA, Katelyn Phelps and Molly Phelps, both of Omaha, NE; companion Dottie L'Heureux of Red Oak; brothers, Dan Phelps of Red Oak, and Bill Phelps and wife Myrna of Fairmont, MN; sister Marilyn Rock and husband Jim of Fairmont, MN; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorials suggested to Malvern Cemetery Association.