In Remembrance Of
Charles Kellam
Charles Kellam, 84 of Plattsburg, MO passed away peacefully in his home on March 4, 2021.
Charles was born north of Lathrop, MO to Donald W. Kellam and Mary E. (Rogers) Kellam on April 15, 1936. The family soon purchased and moved to a farm near Grayson, MO.
He graduated from East Buchanan High School, where he was all conference in football and track, in 1954. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy where he became an electronics technician and served as a navigator on board a WV-2 Warning Star reconnaissance plane. While stationed in Hawaii, Charles met Branif stewardess, Bonnie Guenthner, on a blind date. They were courting when Hawaii wildly celebrated statehood on August 21, 1959.
Upon his discharge from the Navy, they returned to the states and were married in Antigo, WI on June 4, 1960. The couple farmed in the Plattsburg-Trimble area for 60 years. Charles served on the Plattsburg School Board where he championed a new facility housing the schools first vocational ag course and FFA program. He also brought his own equipment in and, with the help of his boys and a company employee, poured the piers and built the structure for the stadium seating on the football field.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of nearly 60 years.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Lois Anderson; brother, Donald D. Kellam; Charles also leaves behind two sons: Jerry (Rhonda) Kellam and David (Christy) Kellam; four grandchildren: Lauren Kellam and Garrett Kellam (Jerry), Brandi (Kenzie) McClain and Jami (Brandon) Doldt (David); and two great-grandchildren: Kolt McClain and Charli Doldt.
Visitation: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 9th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Smithville.
Graveside Service with Military Honors: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Greenlawn Cemetery, Plattsburg.
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Comments & condolences
12 comments
Lisa Small
So sorry to here about the loss of your Dad! He was a wonderful person . He and Your Mom Bonnie where
The Best. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
Sherry Bowers (Dennis)
Kellam family, we are so saddened by Charles passing. He and Bonnie we’re wonderful people. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I know Charlie is now with the love of his life. May he now rest in peace
Bob Grier
Sorry for the loss of your family member. Lots of memories with Charles over the years
dicky eads
Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Jim E.Horn
Very sorry for your family’s loss.
Laurel & Kenny Defreece
Dear Kellam Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Charlie and Bonnie were good friends of ours. We will miss them very much as we know you will too. We’re thinking of your family and sending our love and Sympathy’s .
Chuck Adkins
Sorry for your loss
John Horn
Sorry for your loss
Daryl Vincent Walkup
Very sorry to hear this . I always enjoyed Charie’s company, when my Dad and Bonnie were in the hospital at the same time yrs ago. We become good friends after that . He will be greatly missed. Prayers go out to the family , and may God bless and comfort during your time of grief.
Corwin Yoder
Man o Man, he will be missed, prayers for all of you all.
Helen Smith Crawford
I’ve know Chuck and Bonnie since I was 12 years old Bonnie and Chuck use to come into the Café once in a while and after Bonnie passed Chuck continue to come in I enjoyed sitting when I could and hearing stories of how he met Bonnie and how he Ioved her so … now the are together again … Prayers for those left behind
Christy Norton
Jerry, David and the rest of the Kellam Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. Chuck held a special place in our hearts. Both Dad and Mom were proud to call Chuck and Bonnie their friends.
Thinking of you all.
Christy Norton