Charles Dean “Chuck” Dahmer

Charles Dean “Chuck” Dahmer, 79, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 surrounded by his wife and children at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon, Missouri.  Chuck was born on April 12, 1945 at the family home in Milo, the son of M.L. and Grace (Skinner) Dahmer.  On August 31, 1968 he was united in marriage to Barbara Rae (Defreese) Dahmer in Sheldon.  She survives of the home.

Chuck graduated from Nevada High School in 1963, then attended Fort Scott Community College until he was drafted to serve his country in the United States Army from June 1965 until he was honorably discharged in March 1967, serving in Korea.  Upon discharge, he attended Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business.  He eventually returned to the family farm in Milo in 1978 and retired from farming in 2014.  He served on the PWSD #2 board for many years, with most as the President.  He was a member of the Nevada Elks, Nevada Eagles, Masonic Lodge, and a Christian. 

Chuck would want to be remembered as a man of integrity, for his quick wit and sense of humor, his devotion to his work as a farmer, willingness to help a neighbor, his love of music (particularly country from the 1970’s through early 1990’s), dancing with his wife, and his love of baby animals and children. Chances are you’ve heard him introduce himself as Eli Fudpucker, been on the receiving end of his teasing, or have your own memory of a specific “Chuckism”.   As he faced the cruelty of his dementia diagnosis, he could be quoted more than once of saying “There’s far worse things than dying.”  On a lighter note, he often mentioned that he could hide his own Easter eggs.  He knew how to find humor even in difficult situations.  

In addition to his wife of over 56 years, he is survived by his son Shane Dahmer and his wife Angi of Milo, his daughter Leslie Sommers and her husband Morgan of Andover, KS; six grandchildren:  Blaine (Shelbie) Gibbs of Overland Park, KS; Laken (Jeff) Walker of Springfield, MO; Paige (Taylor) Scotten of Nevada, MO; Kyle Dahmer of Lamar MO; Shalea Dahmer of Milo, MO; and Josie Sommers of Andover, KS, and two great-grandchildren, Paizlei and Trigger Scotten of Nevada, MO.  One brother, Pat (Ruth) Dahmer of Littleton, CO; one sister Kay Wells of Grove, OK; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of life long friends.  He managed to make friends wherever he went. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law Lawrence and Fern Defreese, one brother Maurice Lee Dahmer Jr and his wife Tin, two sisters:  Dianne Morris and her husband Perry and Sue Crawford.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Shane McCaslin officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the  National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the M.L. and Grace Dahmer Scholarship Fund c/o NHS Foundation or the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon c/o Ferry Funeral Home.     

You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com