Charles Russell Proffitt

Charles was born in rural Ray County Mo., to Charles Henry and Anna Lee (Kern) Proffitt on July 15, 1927, and 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, Mo. 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 No. 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; a son, Ford M. Roesch II and Sandra of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter Kimberly Jo Haddix and Kevin, of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren Shaun M. Roesch, of Edwards, Mo., Sheila G. Roesch, of Overland Park Kan., Bryn N. Haddix of Omaha, Neb., and Hunter C. Haddix of Kansas City, Mo; brothers, Robert E. Proffitt, of Clarinda, Iowa, and Melvin P. Proffitt, and Shirley, of Independence, Mo.; sisters, Millie A. Hewitt, of Waterloo, Iowa, Lena B. Shelton, of Wichita, Kan., and Janet Green of Richmond, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews and extended family.

Funeral services for Charles Russell Proffitt were held at 1 p.m., Monday, March 16, at the United Methodist Church, in Schell City, with Tom Pyle officiating. Masonic rites were officiated by Lawrence Cripps P.D.D.G.M. Musical seletions were provided by Kelly Paris and David Souza. Pallbearers were: Charles H. Vincent, Matthew Vincent, Roger Dade Sr., Randall Cates, Nick Cain, and Michael Bundy. Honorary pallbearers were: Fort Roesch II, Kevin Haddly, Ival Prater, Gary Davis, Terry Smith, and Larry Nichols Sr. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery, in Schell City.

Memorials are suggested to the Schell City Volunteer Fire Department, the Walker Rural Fire Department, or the charity of the donor's choice.