Beaner, Charles W.

Charles W. Beaner, 86, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by the Rev. Dr. Ron Franklin. The family will greet friends from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, at the funeral home. Private family graveside services will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military honors.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Virginia; his son, David (Madilyn) Beaner of Marion; his daughter, Nancy (Mike) Harris of Thailand; his granddaughter, Kelli Ryne Harris of Qatar; two brothers-in-law, Theodore (Doris) Olinger of Toddville and Dwight (Carol) Olinger of Burnsville, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Janeece (David) Lasley of Monticello and Dianne Olinger of Toddville; godson, Jared Lasley (Vicky Farnum) of Springville; and many nieces, nephews, Pennsylvania family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Amanda Jewel Harris; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, TJ and Mildred Olinger; and a brother-in-law, Richard Olinger.

Charles was born March 14, 1927, in Bedford County, Pa., and adopted by Arthur and Jessie (Mangus) Beaner. He attended Bedford County Schools and was proud to have been a caddie for Bedford Springs Golf Course. Charles served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946 in the European Theatre of Operations (during World War II). He sought employment in Iowa, living with cousins Earl and Catherine (Beaner) Elson. His work experience included TJ Olinger Construction and FMC/Link-Belt, where after 27 years, he retired as a quality control inspector. On June 17, 1949, Charles married Virginia Pearl Olinger at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To that marriage were born two children, David Warren and Nancy Elizabeth.

Charles served as a volunteer on the Monroe Township Fire Department and was a member of American Legion Post 298 of Marion and the Cedar Sams Camping group. Charles enjoyed camping with friends and Minnesota fishing trips. He also enjoyed his trips to Thailand, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Charles liked listening to bluegrass and Gospel music, watching the Cubs and Hawkeyes, and spending time with his extended family, especially teasing the kids at Easter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Marion Christian Church or Linn Manor Care Center in Marion in Charles' memory.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff at Linn Manor Care Center and St. Luke's Hospice for all their loving care for Charles and his family.

Please sign the online guest book for Charles at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published July 13, 2013 in The Gazette