Charles Benjamin Specht Jr. was the only son of four children born to Charles Benjamin Specht Sr. and Rosa May Shelton. Born in Marshall County, Charles graduated from LeGrand High School in 1935. While working in Marshalltown Charles met Ida Lucille Stevens and convinced her to go on a date by inviting her out saying he'd meet her inside the movie theater. We are lucky that Gramma had a sense of humor because they married 30 October 1938 and at this point Charles thought seriously about his future; he decided to pursue a career in electrical work. He attended Coyne Electrical School graduating in April of 1939 and after an odd assortment of jobs, started working for Cassaday Refrigeration Company in Des Moines, a job he held from 1942 to 1944 .
During this time their marriage produced two children; Sandra May and Calvin Duane. But, World War II called. Charles answered, serving in the South Pacific Theatre in the Philippines with the 1731st Engineer Utility Detachment under the 6th Army from April 1944 to January of 1946 as a refrigeration mechanic.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Charles decided that owning and running his own business was path he wanted to follow. He and his wife Ida started ABC Refrigeration in Marshalltown, Iowa, a business that they kept and ran for thirty years.
After a successful career, Charles retired and dissolved his business in 1978 and he and Ida continued their passion of fishing and traveling including their friends and family in the process when they could. His other interests included woodworking (leaving behind many heirlooms for family) and sports; specifically baseball and basketball, two sports he excelled at in high school. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. All of their children and grandchildren have fond memories of fishing trips and holidays with Gramma & Grampa.
Charles died June 3, 2008 at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center after being taken to the hospital along with Ida after she slipped and broke her hip. His graveside services was the following Friday at the Albion Cemetery in Albion. A memorial fund was established for Peoplesride in Marshalltown, a service he and Ida both used after he became unable to drive on his own.
At the time of his death Charles left behind his wife of 69 years, his daughter Sandra Fiems, and seven grandchildren plus 17 great grandchildren to include many nieces and nephews. With his passing Charles joined his parents, his son Calvin, and his three sisters Leona Adair, Bess Monroe and Dorothy Manship.
During this time their marriage produced two children; Sandra May and Calvin Duane. But, World War II called. Charles answered, serving in the South Pacific Theatre in the Philippines with the 1731st Engineer Utility Detachment under the 6th Army from April 1944 to January of 1946 as a refrigeration mechanic.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Charles decided that owning and running his own business was path he wanted to follow. He and his wife Ida started ABC Refrigeration in Marshalltown, Iowa, a business that they kept and ran for thirty years.
After a successful career, Charles retired and dissolved his business in 1978 and he and Ida continued their passion of fishing and traveling including their friends and family in the process when they could. His other interests included woodworking (leaving behind many heirlooms for family) and sports; specifically baseball and basketball, two sports he excelled at in high school. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. All of their children and grandchildren have fond memories of fishing trips and holidays with Gramma & Grampa.
Charles died June 3, 2008 at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center after being taken to the hospital along with Ida after she slipped and broke her hip. His graveside services was the following Friday at the Albion Cemetery in Albion. A memorial fund was established for Peoplesride in Marshalltown, a service he and Ida both used after he became unable to drive on his own.
At the time of his death Charles left behind his wife of 69 years, his daughter Sandra Fiems, and seven grandchildren plus 17 great grandchildren to include many nieces and nephews. With his passing Charles joined his parents, his son Calvin, and his three sisters Leona Adair, Bess Monroe and Dorothy Manship.
Charles Benjamin Specht Jr. was the only son of four children born to Charles Benjamin Specht Sr. and Rosa May Shelton. Born in Marshall County, Charles graduated from LeGrand High School in 1935. While working in Marshalltown Charles met Ida Lucille Stevens and convinced her to go on a date by inviting her out saying he'd meet her inside the movie theater. We are lucky that Gramma had a sense of humor because they married 30 October 1938 and at this point Charles thought seriously about his future; he decided to pursue a career in electrical work. He attended Coyne Electrical School graduating in April of 1939 and after an odd assortment of jobs, started working for Cassaday Refrigeration Company in Des Moines, a job he held from 1942 to 1944 .
During this time their marriage produced two children; Sandra May and Calvin Duane. But, World War II called. Charles answered, serving in the South Pacific Theatre in the Philippines with the 1731st Engineer Utility Detachment under the 6th Army from April 1944 to January of 1946 as a refrigeration mechanic.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Charles decided that owning and running his own business was path he wanted to follow. He and his wife Ida started ABC Refrigeration in Marshalltown, Iowa, a business that they kept and ran for thirty years.
After a successful career, Charles retired and dissolved his business in 1978 and he and Ida continued their passion of fishing and traveling including their friends and family in the process when they could. His other interests included woodworking (leaving behind many heirlooms for family) and sports; specifically baseball and basketball, two sports he excelled at in high school. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. All of their children and grandchildren have fond memories of fishing trips and holidays with Gramma & Grampa.
Charles died June 3, 2008 at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center after being taken to the hospital along with Ida after she slipped and broke her hip. His graveside services was the following Friday at the Albion Cemetery in Albion. A memorial fund was established for Peoplesride in Marshalltown, a service he and Ida both used after he became unable to drive on his own.
At the time of his death Charles left behind his wife of 69 years, his daughter Sandra Fiems, and seven grandchildren plus 17 great grandchildren to include many nieces and nephews. With his passing Charles joined his parents, his son Calvin, and his three sisters Leona Adair, Bess Monroe and Dorothy Manship.
During this time their marriage produced two children; Sandra May and Calvin Duane. But, World War II called. Charles answered, serving in the South Pacific Theatre in the Philippines with the 1731st Engineer Utility Detachment under the 6th Army from April 1944 to January of 1946 as a refrigeration mechanic.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Charles decided that owning and running his own business was path he wanted to follow. He and his wife Ida started ABC Refrigeration in Marshalltown, Iowa, a business that they kept and ran for thirty years.
After a successful career, Charles retired and dissolved his business in 1978 and he and Ida continued their passion of fishing and traveling including their friends and family in the process when they could. His other interests included woodworking (leaving behind many heirlooms for family) and sports; specifically baseball and basketball, two sports he excelled at in high school. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. All of their children and grandchildren have fond memories of fishing trips and holidays with Gramma & Grampa.
Charles died June 3, 2008 at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center after being taken to the hospital along with Ida after she slipped and broke her hip. His graveside services was the following Friday at the Albion Cemetery in Albion. A memorial fund was established for Peoplesride in Marshalltown, a service he and Ida both used after he became unable to drive on his own.
At the time of his death Charles left behind his wife of 69 years, his daughter Sandra Fiems, and seven grandchildren plus 17 great grandchildren to include many nieces and nephews. With his passing Charles joined his parents, his son Calvin, and his three sisters Leona Adair, Bess Monroe and Dorothy Manship.
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