Charles Arthur King January 23, 1939 – July 20, 2010
Charles Arthur King, son of Arthur P. and Clara Lavelle (Kuhn) King, was born January 23, 1939 on the family farm south of Blockton, Iowa. Charles grew up on the farm helping take care of the livestock and crops. His compassion for animals was enormous.
Charles graduated from Blockton high school and furthered his education by graduating from auctioneers’ school in Mason City, Iowa.
On August 2, 1959, Charles was united in marriage to Lynn Vanarsdall and to this union, three daughters were born; Charlene, Elaine and Kerra. They would welcome into their home and raise Carl ‘Clancy’ Brown as a son.
Charles was a loving husband, father and grandfather who had many interests and loves in his life. Charles loved poetry and readings. He loved homemade ice cream and he would go ‘elbow to elbow’ eating it with his grandson. He loved playing games especially greedy and pinochle. His granddaughter remembers playing games with grandpa before chores. Being an auctioneer, he loved to go to cattle and other types of auctions. Charles never knew a stranger and could talk to anybody. He could talk to strangers and you would think he had known them all of his life. After all, a stranger was just someone he hadn’t met yet! No one could tell a story like Charles could. His love for his God and country was only overshadowed by his love for his family.
Charles passed away on July 20, 2010 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Gerry Ballantyne.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of nearly 51 years, Lynn King of Blockton; children, Charlene Ballantyne of Earlham, Iowa, Elaine King of Waynesville, Missouri, Kerra Drake and husband Eric of Blockton, Iowa and Carl ‘Clancy’ Brown and wife Carmin of Harlan, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Caleb Ballantyne, Georgia Ballantyne, Taylor Brown, Lexus Brown, Myranda Drake, James Drake, Kaitlyn Drake; one great-grandchild, Mathias Ballantyne; sister, Jeannette Beekman and husband Denny of Dakota City, Nebraska; brother, Jerry King and wife Judy of Blockton, Iowa, and many nieces, nephews and good friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Christian Church in Blockton with Rev. Scott Marcum officiating. Musicians were Jodi Lawrence and Marvel Melvin.
Casket bearers were Eric Drake, Jason King, James Drake, Allan Searle, Caleb Ballantyne and Clancy Brown.
Charles was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton.
A memorial fund has been established to Friends of Family and Christian Church, both in Blockton. Arrangements were made by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
