Charles D. Bouse, Sr., 69, of Bourbon, MO, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Charles was born September 19, 1947 in Anthonies Mill, MO, to the union of Carl and Rosetta (Dace) Bouse. He grew up and attended school at Metcalf and High Ridge before graduating from Bourbon High School class of 1965. He went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO, graduating in 1969 with his Bachelor degree in Ag business. Charles married Betty Lloyd in June of 1967 and to this union, five children were born: Charles Jr., Tambra, Christine, Myra, and Stephen. After finishing college, the family moved back to Bourbon where Charles taught school and they began to raise their family. In 1971, Charles was drafted into the US Army. The family then relocated to Alaska for a brief time before returning to Missouri. The family made their home in Cuba, where Charles worked at Ridgetop Farms for the next twenty-one years.
In 1995, they moved to their farm in Bourbon. Over the years, Charles was involved in his communities and churches. He was a past president and member of the Cuba School Board. He also helped form the Crawford County Cattlemen’s Association, serving as past president. Charles taught numerous Sunday school classes, was a Royal Ranger leader and 4-H leader. He held various positions of church leadership in the last forty-five years. Most recently serving as Deacon at Sullivan First Assembly of God.
Charles loved sports, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and most anything outdoors. He enjoyed hunting trips out west with his sons, brothers and friends. He will be greatly missed for his fantastic story telling abilities. He treasured spending time with his children and grandchildren and teaching them about all of the things he loved.
Charles is survived by his wife, Betty (Lloyd) Bouse, of Bourbon; five children, Charles “Chuck” Bouse, Jr. and friend Trista Blanton of Bourbon, Tambra Sellers and husband Dr. Clyde “Butch” Sellers of Sullivan, Christine Steelman and husband Chris of Rolla, Myra Siebert and husband Dr. Sean Siebert of Cuba, Stephen Bouse and wife Misty of Bourbon; 13 grandchildren, Ethan, Cheyenne, Sophia, Simon, Cooper, Lauren, Kora, Cole, William, Samuel, Silas, Chase and Leigha; three brothers, Roger Bouse of Sullivan, Jerry Bouse and wife Patricia of Willard, MO, Larry Bouse and wife Cathy of Story, Wyoming; two sisters, Nancy Keeney and husband Jerry of St. Louis, Peggy Farmer and husband Clyde “Magoo” of Bourbon; one Sister-in-law, Rebecca Swope of Branson, MO; two Brothers-in-law, Rodney Lloyd and wife Linda of Golden, CO and John Lloyd and wife Cheryl of Sullivan, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; Carl and Rosetta (Dace) Bouse; parents-in-law, John and Maxine Lloyd; and a sister-in-law, Annabelle Bouse.
Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017 at First Assembly of God in Sullivan with Pastor Kyle Phillips officiating. Interment will be in Swan Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri.
Visitation was from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, at First Assembly of God, 951 Elmont Road, Sullivan, Missouri.
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan and Bourbon.