Charles Sidney Elston, 86, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2005 in Decatur County. Charles, also known as "Sid", "Chas" or "Charlie", was born May 18, 1919 in Davis City, Iowa to Leonard and Kate (Bonnett) Elston.
He attended school in Davis City where he met the woman of his dreams. On June 1, 1938, he married high school sweetheart and square dance partner, Vondene Reynolds. The grandkids were always told the tale that grandma got him intoxicated, whisked him away to Bethany, MO, where it was legal to marry without parental consent, and he came home a married man. Grandma would deny this story, claiming it wasn't her fault at all; adding that a friend drove them there because they had no car and along the way they stopped to pick wild flowers for a bridal bouquet. During the early part of their union, they managed to live in seven different homes within seven years, including moves to Michigan, California, Missouri and eventually settling down in Iowa. To this marriage, two sons were born, Ronald Jerry and Michael Lavern.
Charles made a career as a carpenter, working over 50 years in the trade. He built numerous homes in the Decatur County area and worked many years as a foreman for Knudson's in Des Moines. He was a lifetime member of the Carpenters Local 106, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the American Legion. After being drafted in 1944, he served during WWII in Tokyo, Japan as a Military Policeman for eighteen months.
Charlie enjoyed boating, drinking coffee with friends, playing cards and square dancing, whistling and showing signs of an ornery streak. He would often let you know he had come to visit while you were gone by barricading the doorway with objects found in the yard, such as lawn chairs or any other movable objects. If your rain gauge was full of water when it hadn't rained in weeks, Charlie had left his mark. He will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Willard "Buck", Leland, Richard and Frank Elston; sister, Velva Ashburn; and son, Ron Elston.
Survivors include his wife, Vondene Elston of Lamoni; son, Michael Elston of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, Rhonda, RoVawn, Kelly, Renee, Janelle and Joe; many great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at the Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon Friday, December 30, 2005 with Rev. Terry D. Roberts and Rev. Vearl Mings officiating. Burial was in the Davis City Cemetery in Davis City, Iowa.
He attended school in Davis City where he met the woman of his dreams. On June 1, 1938, he married high school sweetheart and square dance partner, Vondene Reynolds. The grandkids were always told the tale that grandma got him intoxicated, whisked him away to Bethany, MO, where it was legal to marry without parental consent, and he came home a married man. Grandma would deny this story, claiming it wasn't her fault at all; adding that a friend drove them there because they had no car and along the way they stopped to pick wild flowers for a bridal bouquet. During the early part of their union, they managed to live in seven different homes within seven years, including moves to Michigan, California, Missouri and eventually settling down in Iowa. To this marriage, two sons were born, Ronald Jerry and Michael Lavern.
Charles made a career as a carpenter, working over 50 years in the trade. He built numerous homes in the Decatur County area and worked many years as a foreman for Knudson's in Des Moines. He was a lifetime member of the Carpenters Local 106, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the American Legion. After being drafted in 1944, he served during WWII in Tokyo, Japan as a Military Policeman for eighteen months.
Charlie enjoyed boating, drinking coffee with friends, playing cards and square dancing, whistling and showing signs of an ornery streak. He would often let you know he had come to visit while you were gone by barricading the doorway with objects found in the yard, such as lawn chairs or any other movable objects. If your rain gauge was full of water when it hadn't rained in weeks, Charlie had left his mark. He will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Willard "Buck", Leland, Richard and Frank Elston; sister, Velva Ashburn; and son, Ron Elston.
Survivors include his wife, Vondene Elston of Lamoni; son, Michael Elston of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, Rhonda, RoVawn, Kelly, Renee, Janelle and Joe; many great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at the Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon Friday, December 30, 2005 with Rev. Terry D. Roberts and Rev. Vearl Mings officiating. Burial was in the Davis City Cemetery in Davis City, Iowa.
Charles Sidney Elston, 86, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2005 in Decatur County. Charles, also known as "Sid", "Chas" or "Charlie", was born May 18, 1919 in Davis City, Iowa to Leonard and Kate (Bonnett) Elston.
He attended school in Davis City where he met the woman of his dreams. On June 1, 1938, he married high school sweetheart and square dance partner, Vondene Reynolds. The grandkids were always told the tale that grandma got him intoxicated, whisked him away to Bethany, MO, where it was legal to marry without parental consent, and he came home a married man. Grandma would deny this story, claiming it wasn't her fault at all; adding that a friend drove them there because they had no car and along the way they stopped to pick wild flowers for a bridal bouquet. During the early part of their union, they managed to live in seven different homes within seven years, including moves to Michigan, California, Missouri and eventually settling down in Iowa. To this marriage, two sons were born, Ronald Jerry and Michael Lavern.
Charles made a career as a carpenter, working over 50 years in the trade. He built numerous homes in the Decatur County area and worked many years as a foreman for Knudson's in Des Moines. He was a lifetime member of the Carpenters Local 106, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the American Legion. After being drafted in 1944, he served during WWII in Tokyo, Japan as a Military Policeman for eighteen months.
Charlie enjoyed boating, drinking coffee with friends, playing cards and square dancing, whistling and showing signs of an ornery streak. He would often let you know he had come to visit while you were gone by barricading the doorway with objects found in the yard, such as lawn chairs or any other movable objects. If your rain gauge was full of water when it hadn't rained in weeks, Charlie had left his mark. He will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Willard "Buck", Leland, Richard and Frank Elston; sister, Velva Ashburn; and son, Ron Elston.
Survivors include his wife, Vondene Elston of Lamoni; son, Michael Elston of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, Rhonda, RoVawn, Kelly, Renee, Janelle and Joe; many great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at the Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon Friday, December 30, 2005 with Rev. Terry D. Roberts and Rev. Vearl Mings officiating. Burial was in the Davis City Cemetery in Davis City, Iowa.
He attended school in Davis City where he met the woman of his dreams. On June 1, 1938, he married high school sweetheart and square dance partner, Vondene Reynolds. The grandkids were always told the tale that grandma got him intoxicated, whisked him away to Bethany, MO, where it was legal to marry without parental consent, and he came home a married man. Grandma would deny this story, claiming it wasn't her fault at all; adding that a friend drove them there because they had no car and along the way they stopped to pick wild flowers for a bridal bouquet. During the early part of their union, they managed to live in seven different homes within seven years, including moves to Michigan, California, Missouri and eventually settling down in Iowa. To this marriage, two sons were born, Ronald Jerry and Michael Lavern.
Charles made a career as a carpenter, working over 50 years in the trade. He built numerous homes in the Decatur County area and worked many years as a foreman for Knudson's in Des Moines. He was a lifetime member of the Carpenters Local 106, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the American Legion. After being drafted in 1944, he served during WWII in Tokyo, Japan as a Military Policeman for eighteen months.
Charlie enjoyed boating, drinking coffee with friends, playing cards and square dancing, whistling and showing signs of an ornery streak. He would often let you know he had come to visit while you were gone by barricading the doorway with objects found in the yard, such as lawn chairs or any other movable objects. If your rain gauge was full of water when it hadn't rained in weeks, Charlie had left his mark. He will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Willard "Buck", Leland, Richard and Frank Elston; sister, Velva Ashburn; and son, Ron Elston.
Survivors include his wife, Vondene Elston of Lamoni; son, Michael Elston of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, Rhonda, RoVawn, Kelly, Renee, Janelle and Joe; many great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at the Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon Friday, December 30, 2005 with Rev. Terry D. Roberts and Rev. Vearl Mings officiating. Burial was in the Davis City Cemetery in Davis City, Iowa.
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