Charles Radford

Charles Franklin Radford, one of seven children of Winnie (McDole) Radford and George Alva Radford, was born February 7, 1923 in Glenwood, Iowa. He was a lifelong resident of Glenwood where he attended school and graduated with the class of 1940. While attending high school, at the age of 16 Charles joined the National Guard, where during the Depression, he earned $4.00 a month. He left the Guard in August of 1940. After graduation, he joined the N.Y.A., where he helped build the stone shelters and the entrance gate at the Glenwood Lake Park. Then in February of 1941, Charles rejoined the National Guard with a rank of sergeant. The Glenwood Guard Unit had been activated to join the war effort. He went overseas and served in Ireland, North Africa, and Italy as a soldier in the Red Bull 34th Infantry Division. As a platoon leader, he fought until a war injury took him out of full service. Following his recovery, he went on restricted service, working in an Officer's Club in Naples, Italy. He was decorated with two Bronze Stars and received two Purple Hearts.

Charles returned home from the service in 1944. He held various jobs including working in an office at the Glenwood State School for a brief time and for Northern Natural Gas laying pipeline in Wisconsin, Arkansas and Joliet, Illinois. He then began working for the National Guard as a Supply Sergeant in an office of the old Armory in Glenwood and took over the management and custodial duties of it as well.

In May of 1959, he purchased the Lugsch Dry Cleaners and Laundry. Charles later expanded his business and built a large facility on the corner of Walnut and Nuckolls. He bought Rager's Laundry and consolidated the business under the name of LeMode Cleaners. In 1974, he sold the business to the Unitog Company of Kansas City.

Having served on the board for the Mills County Savings and Loan, Charles later took over the position of President and Chief Loan Officer. In April 1980, he started the Pizza Hut in Hamburg, Iowa, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2000.

Charles kept active as a member of the Glenwood Rotary Club, where he was a past president, a member of the Lion's Club, a member of the Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department, elected to the Glenwood School Board and as a commander of the Harvey T. Rimel Post #141. In 2001, he had the honor of serving as National President of the 34th Inf. Div. Association. He enjoyed watching sports, playing cards, camping, and traveling. Charles was an avid reader with an extensive collection of books on WWII. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Charles died at the Nebraska Medical Center Hospital on January 21, 2010 at the age of 86 years, 11 months, and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold Radford and infant brother, Duane Radford; and son Christopher Bichel.

Charles is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kathie; children, Gerry Harper and husband Tom, Jo Brown and husband Phil, all of Glenwood, Deb Bussey and husband Steve of Lincoln, NE, Kelly Rasmussen and husband Dave of Council Bluffs, IA, and daughter-in-law Mona Bichel of Ames, IA; sisters, Freda Breeling of Lincoln, NE, Betty Sell and husband Ed of Malvern, IA, and Wanda Prien of Minden, NE; brother Rodney Radford, and sister-in-law Mary Lois Radford, both of Glenwood; 9 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Memorials suggested to the First Christian Church of Council Bluffs Building Campaign or Iowa Gold Star Military Museum in Johnston, Iowa.

Burial in the Glenwood Cemetery.