Charlie Bair

Charles Joe "Charlie" Bair, 59, of rural Iola, Kansas, died Saturday, June 13, 2009, at his home. Charlie was born February 25, 1950, in Iola, the son of Charles and Flora Joan (Nicholas) Bair. He grew up in Iola and on the farm south of town and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1968. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years including time on a ship during the Vietnam war. Following his honorable discharge, he made his home in Cortez, Colorado for a short time before returning to the farm south of Iola. On September 29, 1979, Charlie married Bonnie J. Riebel at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Humboldt, Kansas. They have always made their home on the farm south of Iola. Charlie has worked at Allen County Community College, for Allen County and for over 30 years, he has been a heavy equipment operator for Monarch Cement Company at Humboldt. He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous attending meetings in both Iola and Chanute. He had received his 18 year sobriety coin. Charlie enjoyed his grandkids, fishing, wood crafting and tinkering with building projects. SURVIVORS: His Wife: Bonnie J. Bair of the home 3 Daughters: Flora Pauline Bair of Iola, KS; Carolyn Sue Smith & husband, Brandon of Grain Valley, MO; and Keyna Renee Bair of Springfield, MO 4 Grandchildren: Gavin Nelson Blakely, Keyln Elizabeth Blakely, Jaxon William Smith & Mason Charles Smith His Father & Step-Mother: Charles & Bernice Bair of Cortez, CO His Mother-In-Law: Pauline Riebel of Humboldt, KS 1 Brother: Lyle Bair & wife, Paula of Cortez, CO 2 Sisters: Charlene Coate & husband, Butch, and Debbie Martin & husband, Scott all of Cortez, CO He was preceded in death by his mother, Flora Joan Bair, father-in-law, Raymond Riebel and niece, Kymber Leigh Bair. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola, KS ROSARY: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola, KS prior to the mass FUNERAL MASS: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola, KS following the rosary. The Reverend Robert B. Wachter will be celebrant. BURIAL: St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery at Humboldt, Kansas, with military honors MEMORIAL: Suggested to the Charlie Bair Memorial Fund Memorial gifts may be left at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at this website, www.iolafuneral.com .