Charles Neal Dunlap Sr.

Charles Neal Dunlap, Sr., age 77, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Franciscan Health Rensselaer. Charles was born December 19, 1938, the son of Charles Gilbert and Leatha Mae (Horsewood) Dunlap. A lifetime resident of Rensselaer, Charles graduated from Rensselaer High School with the Class of 1956. After graduation he joined the United States Navy where he served from 1956 -1960 at the Great Lakes Navel Base, Chicago, Illinois. Charles had worked at Claussen Equipment in Rensselaer, Sigman’s Sales in Goodland and later at Material Services in Rensselaer. He was a member of the Midwest Operators Local #150. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Rensselaer where he had served as a Deacon and Trustee, and a member of American Legion Post #29 in Rensselaer. Charles enjoyed life and those that knew him well came to know his good natured ornery side. He was an avid card player, enjoyed stock car racing, and had a love for Allis-Chalmers tractors. On December 21, 1963, in Rensselaer, Charles married his sweetheart, Nancy M. Barnhart. He adored his family and one of his greatest joys was the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charles is survived by his loving wife Nancy, daughters’ Kathy (Brad) Welsh and Kimberly (Claude III) Grow, and son Charles Jr. (Nancy) Dunlap all of Rensselaer; nine grandchildren, Nolan (Casey) Hitchcock, Kalyn (Andrew D. Hall) Welsh, Jeff Dunlap Jr., Dustin Dunlap, Stephanie Dunlap, Nathan Dunlap, Rachel Dunlap, Cole Dunlap and Avery Dunlap; four great-grandchildren, Addison and Hudson Hitchcock and Tanner and Lane Dunlap. Other loving survivors include a daughter-in-law, Melissa Dunlap of Fair Oaks, brothers and sisters, Bessie Scheurich, Darrell (Patricia) Dunlap, Paul (Beverly) Dunlap, Cathy (Larry) Epler, Terry (Sara) Dunlap and a sister-in-law, Bonnie Dunlap, all of Rensselaer. Charles was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Leatha, a son Jeffrey Dunlap, Sr. on May 22, 2006, a sister Shirley Minter, a brother John Dunlap, and two brothers-in-laws. Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, May 26, 2016, from 2:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 27, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at the First Christian Church of Rensselaer with Rev. Elizabeth Hartmann officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Memory Gardens in Rensselaer. Memorial donations are suggested to the Building Fund at the First Christian Church of Rensselaer.

Charles Neal Dunlap Sr.

December 19, 1938 - May 24, 2016