Charles W. Sheppard
8/8/1917-4/13/2009

Charles W. Sheppard (Chuck) was born August 8, 1917 in Hibbing, MN, the son of V.A. & Grace (Houdyshell) Sheppard. The family moved to Richmond, Missouri in 1921, where Chuck attended Richmond Public Schools and graduated in 1935. Chuck attended Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA. two years before transferring to the University of Missouri, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Business and Public Administration. He married Marjorie M. Coe of Tarkio, Mo. in 1941. Chuck entered the Air Corp Service in the fall of 1942, spending 24 months in the European Theatre of operations in England, France, Austria and Germany. He received his Honorable discharge from the service in 1946 with the rank of Technical Sergeant. After his discharge from Service, Chuck, Marjorie and family lived in Kansas City, Mo. where Chuck worked for T.W.A. in the treasury Dept. as a Senior Auditor. In 1948 the family moved to Tarkio, Mo. where Chuck and his brother-in-law, Ryland Coe, purchased an International Harvester farm machinery dealership which they operated for 21 years. In 1969 Chuck joined the Administration Staff at Tarkio College where he served the College for 11 years, retiring in 1980 as Vice President of Administrative Services.

Chuck was elected Mayor of the City of Tarkio in 1981 and held that office for 15 years. During his tenure as Mayor, the City received over $500,000 in CDBG grants. In 1992, with the assistance of Jim Cox, Airport Manager, the City received a million dollar ($1,000,000) grant for the improvement of the Gould Peterson Municipal Airport. He served as president of the Northwest region of the Missouri Municipal League and was a Board member of the Northwest Region Council of Government. He was a member of the 136 Highway Coalition. In 1986, he was selected as a member of the Missouri Municipal League Board of Directors, where he served for 6 years. He was President of the Tarkio Water Co. for 8 years. Chuck was a member of the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce and the Tarkio Community Betterment group. He received the Citizen of the year award in 1985 and the Adult Leadership Award from the Governor of MO in 1992.

Chuck was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Allen Schiffern American Legion Post 199. He was a member of the Tarkio Rotary Club for over 50 years where he served as Treasurer, Vice President and President. He served as District Governor in 1980-81. Chuck was an avid sports lover, enjoying football, basketball, baseball and golf. He served as President of the Tarkio Golf Club in 1973. He was a loyal United Methodist Church member, having served as a Sunday school teacher, lay leader and was Chairman of the finance Committee for several years. Chuck loved being involved with youth and became a Mentor during his retirement years.

In April, 2008, Chuck joined his wife, Marge, at Northview Care Center, where he lived until his death. While at Northview he served on the resident’s advisory committee providing input on food and quality of services at the facility. He loved Big Band music and felt some enlightment was needed during meals, so provided a CD player and music in the dining room where music was played during meals. It is nice to enter Northview and hear the music playing in his honor.

Chuck passed away at Northview Care Center on April 13, 2009, with his daughter, Elaine, and son-in-law, Gregg, by his side. His parents, wife, Marjorie Coe Sheppard, and only brother, Bud Sheppard preceded him in death.

To four children, Kathy, Steve, Elaine and Dianne he was known as Dad and to 14 grandkids and 8 great grandkids Chuck was known as Grandpa and all 22 would tell you there was none better than this man.

Survivors include his four Children-Kathy Caves and her husband, Tom, Monterey, California, Steve Sheppard and his wife, Vicki, Asheville, North Carolina, Elaine Broermann and her husband, Gregg, Shenandoah, Iowa and Dianne Bessert and her husband, Barry, Fort Collins, Colorado; 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service:
10:30am, Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tarkio United Methodist Church, Tarkio.
A private family Inurnment will be held later at Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends at the church fellowship hall immediately following the memorial service, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Memorials: Tarkio United Methodist Church, Tarkio Nutrition Center, or Dave Palmeiro Foundation.
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.