Charles E. Sims

September 11, 1928 - February 15, 2016

Charles Sims, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 15, 2016 at West Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at the Winfield Funeral Home on Thursday the 18th of February at 10:30 A.M., followed by burial service at Breckenridge Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion/VFW Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 17th from 4 P.M. – 6 P.M. Chas was born on September 11, 1928 near Pershing, Iowa. He was raised outside Pershing where he attended Victory Grade School just north of Pershing. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1946. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic. He was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL. While serving there, he regularly visited Bushnell, Illinois where he met Shirley. Charlie and Shirley were married June 5, 1954. Charlie was honorably discharged in December 1954, and he, Shirley, and Teresa moved to Iowa the following January. Chas and Shirley settled outside of Attica, Iowa where they farmed for most of his life. Originally a full working farm with livestock and row crops, their farm would evolve through the years, but remained the focal point of their life and family endeavors. In later years, Chas kept busy tending to his gardens, fruit trees and beloved roses. He was an avid photographer and loved taking photographs during their extensive travel throughout the United States and the Caribbean. From the late 1970's through the early 2000's, Chas and Shirley were steadfast Knoxville High School Volleyball fans, attending most games, where Chas took hundreds of photographs that he kindly shared with the players throughout the years. Chas also loved golfing, a pastime he shared with his wife. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley, his daughter Teresa Spaur (Jack), his granddaughters Kaleen Adams (Rob) and Angie Deardorff. His great grandchildren Shane Jones (Amy), Lyndsay Strom (Justin), Megan Adams, Nicole Adams, John Adams, Payne Hoyt and his great-great grandson Jackson Jones. Chas' family was deeply important to him and he greatly enjoyed the title "Gramps" at his regular family gatherings where his famous Barbecue Ribs were standard fare. He was preceded in death by his parents John A. and Loreen, his brother Harry, and his sister-in-law Katheryn. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Attica United Methodist Church, 1733 S Attica Street, Knoxville, IA or to Hospice of Central Iowa.