Charles Noland

Charles Edwin Noland was born October 5, 1926, and passed away peacefully in his sleep November 29, 2018, at The New Homestead Care Center in Guthrie Center at the age of 92. He was the only child of Edna Burdette (Carey) Noland and Harry (Hal) Eugene Noland. Charlie was born at home in a farmhouse southeast of Anita. In 1928 they moved north of Adair where he attended Grant #5 Country School, then graduated from Adair High School in 1944 with 10 girls and 10 boys in his class. He helped his dad farm until he was drafted on January 6, 1946, and was sent to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, to be inducted. When he was done with his basic training in Fort McClellan, Alabama, he and half of his troop were sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, and the other half was sent to Korea. He served in the 9th Infantry Service Company, where he drove a truck. In July 1946, Charlie re-enlisted and received a 30 day furlough, then continued his service until August 1947. He received honorable discharge as Technician 5th Grade Regular Army. Charlie then returned home to farm with his dad.

In July 1949, he met Mary Katherine Silletto at a skating rink in Audubon. They were married April 2, 1950, at the Methodist Church in Guthrie Center with the reception at the Val-Air in Des Moines. To this union five children were born: Stephen James, Carey Eugene, Jeffrey William, Nancy Marie and Judith Ann.

Charles lived on his farm north of Adair all of his life. When he started farming he worked with his father, which wasn’t always easy, but somehow they made it work. Eventually his son Carey took over the operation. Outside of farming he was active in his community, serving on the Adair Fire Department for 17 years and was chief for one year. Charles and Mary taught first aid, CPR and EMT classes for several years. He was one of the first EMTs in the state of Iowa. He was a member of the Central Iowa Tractor club, which he helped start and was instrumental in helping start three other clubs. Charlie was a 4-H leader and was a member of the Presbyterian Church, where he helped make ice cream each year for Chuck Wagon Days. Besides farming, Charlie also had a couple of side businesses; he started his own tree service, where he got the nickname Charlie Tree (from Harold Frettim). He also had a scrap iron business and was still cutting iron well into his 80s. The master gardener loved to garden and share his produce with family and friends. Dancing was one of Charlie’s favorite pastimes, and he never lacked for a dance partner. He enjoyed coffee time at the Happy Chef, stopping for a beer at the Blue Goose and collecting John Deere toy tractors. Charlie was a little rough around the edges until the grandkids and great-grandkids came along, which turned him into a big old emotional softy. In October, Charlie’s family hosted a party for his 92nd birthday at the New Homestead where he has resided since March 2018. The place was packed with many friends and family members there to celebrate with him. Charles was well loved, had a big heart and was always there to help his family and friends, and never knew a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry (Hal) and Edna Noland; wife, Mary in 1994; grandson, Lucas Noland in 2009; son, Stephen in 2010; and son-in-law, Bill Antisdel in 2013.

Charles will be greatly missed by: his very special friend, Rose Glade of Panora; daughter-in-law, Lori Noland of Des Moines; sons, Carey (Teresa) Noland, of Adair and Jeff Noland of McClelland; daughters, Nancy Antisdel of Greenfield and Judi Schmidt of Adair. Grandchildren: Emily Noland, Sarah (Landon) Keim, Andrew (Daniella) Noland, Matthew Noland, Heidi (John) Baratta, Stacy Melton, Ryan (Morgan) Antisdel, Jake (Jodie) Cummins, Erin Vacanti, Dylan Schmidt and Kyle Schmidt. Great-grandchildren: Carson Keim, Ryder and Hayes Noland, Kjersten, Cade and Madyx Baratta, Koby and Josie Paulsen, Beau and Max Antisdel, Ashby Melton, Abigaile Pickle, Charles, Emersyn, Gracelyn and Lucas Cummins. Sisters-in-law, Sharon (Jerry) Rote of Stuart, Shirley (John) Burch of San Diego, CA and Marjorie Silletto of Union City, CA; brothers-in-law, James (Peggy) Silletto of Port St. Lucie, FL, Gary Silletto of Henryville, IN and Tom (Rogene) Silletto of Lincoln, NE.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2018, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa. There will be a private family burial at Sunnyhill Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.