Charles Russell Proffitt, 81, rural Vernon County, was born in rural Ray County to Charles Henry and Anna Lee (Kern) Proffitt on July 15, 1927. He passed away on March 11, 2009, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs.
Charles was a truck driver with Atlas Van Lines where he became an owner-operator. He drove over one million miles while employed with McCormack-Payton, Atlas Van Lines.
He and Mary retired in rural Vernon County where they had lived for several years. Charles loved living in the country. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, mushrooming and picking up pecans. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed the sports section of any newspaper. He and his wife, Mary, started Little League baseball in Richmond. He could sharpen a knife like nobody’s business and could carve whistles out of hickory sticks. His greatest pastime was being Papa and Grandpa to his four grandchildren, making sure that he was the one that bought each one their first pair of cowboy boots.
He was a member of the Schell City Lions Club, Lodge #448 of the Masons and longtime member of the Teamsters Local 838.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; sister, C. Hazel (Proffitt) Lockling; and brother, Cletus A. Proffitt.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Proffitt, of the home; son, Ford M. Roesch II, and Sandra - Kansas City; daughter, Kimberly Jo Haddix, and Kevin – Kansas City; grandchildren – Shawn M. Roesch – Edwards, Sheila G. Roesch – Overland Park, KS, Bryn N. Haddix – Omaha, NE, and Hunter C. Haddix – Kansas City; brothers, Robert E. Proffitt – Clarinda, IA, and Melvin P. Proffitt, and Shirley, Independence; sisters - Millie A. Hewitt – Waterloo, IA, Lena B. Shelton – Wichita, KS, and Janet Green – Richmond; several nieces and nephews and extended family.
Services where held Monday, March 16, in the United Methodist Church in Schell City with Brother Tom Pyle officiating.
Masonic Rites were officiated by Lawrence Cripps P.D.D.G.M. Musical selections were provided by Kelly Davis and David Souza. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City under the direction of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.
Pallbearers were Charles H. Vincent, Matthew Vincent, Roger Dade Sr., Randall Cates, Nick Cain and Michael Bundy. Honorary pallbearers were Ford Roesch II, Kevin Haddix, Ival Pruter, Gary Davis, Terry Smith and Larry Nichols Sr.
Memorials are suggested to the Schell City Volunteer Fire Department, the Walker Rural Fire Department or the charity of the donor’s choice.
