Charles Shirley
November 8, 1937 — June 29, 2023
Charles Edgar Shirley died peacefully on June 29, 2023, at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. He was 85 years old. Charles was born on November 08, 1937, at home near Munterville in Wapello County. He was Paul and Isabell (Owens) Shirley’s 10th child and 5th son. Charles attended rural schools before graduating as Valedictorian in Chelsea High School’s class of 1955. Two important high school memories were being a cheerleader and carefully constructing a walnut desk in shop. He proudly used his desk for the rest of his life. Following high school, Charles attended Iowa State University, graduating with his BS degree in Agronomy in 1959. His adviser was Wayne H. Scholtes. As an upper classman Charles enjoyed serving as a Resident Assistant in Friley Hall. He remembered his two-years of mandatory early Saturday morning drills in ROTC with less enthusiasm. Shortly after graduating, Charles married Barbara DeLong in Lytton, Iowa. Over the next 10 years they had three children.
Charles was a lifelong Iowan, farmer and soil conservationist. His career began as a farmer with his father and brother, John. This was followed by 30 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service (now NRCS). His initial responsibilities were in the Benton SWCD followed by successive promotions to Iowa (County) SWCD, Franklin SWCD and West Pottawattamie SWCD. In 1979 Charles and his family were invited to Washington, DC where he received a national USDA award for excellence in soil conservation. His federal career culminated in the State Office in Des Moines, during which time he met Trudy Lewis. They married in 1989 in Farrar. Post-NRCS Charles became a licensed real estate appraiser, having his own company, CES-LTD. Throughout both careers Charles farmed on the side. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Isabell, and siblings Lawrence, Laura, Jean, Esther, Ruth, Stella, Robert, Keith and John. Survivors are one sister, Joyce (Marvin), two former wives (Barbara, Trudy), three children – Lori (Lee) of Ames, Jolene (David) of Johnstown, CO, Sam (Brinda) of Walnut – and four grandchildren (Brandi, Dan, Skylar, Luke).
To the very end Charles took great pride in his farmland, walnut trees, commitment to soil conservation and family. He is deeply missed.
Charles wishes were to have no service.
Charles was a lifelong Iowan, farmer and soil conservationist. His career began as a farmer with his father and brother, John. This was followed by 30 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service (now NRCS). His initial responsibilities were in the Benton SWCD followed by successive promotions to Iowa (County) SWCD, Franklin SWCD and West Pottawattamie SWCD. In 1979 Charles and his family were invited to Washington, DC where he received a national USDA award for excellence in soil conservation. His federal career culminated in the State Office in Des Moines, during which time he met Trudy Lewis. They married in 1989 in Farrar. Post-NRCS Charles became a licensed real estate appraiser, having his own company, CES-LTD. Throughout both careers Charles farmed on the side. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Isabell, and siblings Lawrence, Laura, Jean, Esther, Ruth, Stella, Robert, Keith and John. Survivors are one sister, Joyce (Marvin), two former wives (Barbara, Trudy), three children – Lori (Lee) of Ames, Jolene (David) of Johnstown, CO, Sam (Brinda) of Walnut – and four grandchildren (Brandi, Dan, Skylar, Luke).
To the very end Charles took great pride in his farmland, walnut trees, commitment to soil conservation and family. He is deeply missed.
Charles wishes were to have no service.
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