1923
Charles
2015
Charles C Bess
March 19, 1923 — February 13, 2015
Charles C. Bess, age 91, of Moline, passed away Friday, February 13, 2015 at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island.
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Steedman, MO. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children or VA Medical Center in Iowa City.
Charles was born March 19, 1923 in Portland, MO, to Thomas and Isabelle Dryton Bess. After graduation from Mokane High School, Mokane, MO, he enlisted in the Marines on June 12, 1941. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton when WW II began. He served in the Pacific Theater. He was wounded during the Occupation of Gilbert Islands at the Battle for Tarawa. He was discharged on June 4, 1947 and returned to Missouri where he married Marilyn Russell on July 26, 1947.
They moved to Moline in June of 1948 where Charley went to work for International Harvester. He started Chas. C. Bess Concrete Construction in 1958, and operated his business until the early 80's. He was in the Laborer's Union Local # 301 for 60 years.
He was very active in Eastern Star and a 50 year member of the Masons where he was Past Master of Coal Valley Lodge and life member of Eureka Lodge # 69 in Milan, IL, High Twelve, Zal Grotto, Viking Club and American Legion Post # 227 in East Moline. In his later years, he enjoyed meeting fellow WW II Vets at the Gung Ho Club in Bettendorf. He was also a member of Elim Covenant Church for many years.
Charley and Marilyn were avid bowlers in their younger years. They also enjoyed throwing card parties and New Year's Eve celebrations and many lively barbeques and picnics for 4th of July and Labor Day.
After retirement they enjoyed traveling the United States in their 5th wheel camp trailer, going anywhere from Texas to Alaska.
Survivors include his daughters, Yvonne Smith and Michelle Kawa of Milwaukee, Ruth Bess (Michael Holcomb), Rapids City, grandchildren Neal (Liz) Smith, Hinsdale, IL, Stephanie Smith (Adam Shankland) Victor, Idaho, great granddaughters, Lauren and Madeline Smith, brothers John (Lois) Bess, Tebbetts, MO, James (Dixie) Bess, Hawthorne NV and close friend, Claudine Patton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, his brother, Thomas, Jr and his sisters, Mrytle, Edith and Isabelle.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Steedman, MO. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children or VA Medical Center in Iowa City.
Charles was born March 19, 1923 in Portland, MO, to Thomas and Isabelle Dryton Bess. After graduation from Mokane High School, Mokane, MO, he enlisted in the Marines on June 12, 1941. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton when WW II began. He served in the Pacific Theater. He was wounded during the Occupation of Gilbert Islands at the Battle for Tarawa. He was discharged on June 4, 1947 and returned to Missouri where he married Marilyn Russell on July 26, 1947.
They moved to Moline in June of 1948 where Charley went to work for International Harvester. He started Chas. C. Bess Concrete Construction in 1958, and operated his business until the early 80's. He was in the Laborer's Union Local # 301 for 60 years.
He was very active in Eastern Star and a 50 year member of the Masons where he was Past Master of Coal Valley Lodge and life member of Eureka Lodge # 69 in Milan, IL, High Twelve, Zal Grotto, Viking Club and American Legion Post # 227 in East Moline. In his later years, he enjoyed meeting fellow WW II Vets at the Gung Ho Club in Bettendorf. He was also a member of Elim Covenant Church for many years.
Charley and Marilyn were avid bowlers in their younger years. They also enjoyed throwing card parties and New Year's Eve celebrations and many lively barbeques and picnics for 4th of July and Labor Day.
After retirement they enjoyed traveling the United States in their 5th wheel camp trailer, going anywhere from Texas to Alaska.
Survivors include his daughters, Yvonne Smith and Michelle Kawa of Milwaukee, Ruth Bess (Michael Holcomb), Rapids City, grandchildren Neal (Liz) Smith, Hinsdale, IL, Stephanie Smith (Adam Shankland) Victor, Idaho, great granddaughters, Lauren and Madeline Smith, brothers John (Lois) Bess, Tebbetts, MO, James (Dixie) Bess, Hawthorne NV and close friend, Claudine Patton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, his brother, Thomas, Jr and his sisters, Mrytle, Edith and Isabelle.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Visitation Details
Tuesday, February 17th, 2015, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd.
Service Details
Wednesday, February 18th, 2015, 10:00am, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd.
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