Charles Mathew Mead was born on October 8, 1932, at St. Thomas Mercy Hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of John Lawrence and Elizabeth Josephine DeMuth Mead. He was the 5th of 6 children. Chuck was the 1st sibling to be born in a hospital; the earlier 4 were born at home.

He attended St. Mary's Grade School and High School. He excelled in sports in high school, graduating in the Class of 1950.

Chuck served for 3 years with the United States Marine Corps. The war broke out in Korea on June 25, 1950. Chuck wanted to join the Marines, but knew his parents wouldn't let him. He was attending Iowa State College in Ames. He didn't even tell his future wife at the Homecoming Dance in September. When Chuck turned 18 on October 8, he took a bus to Des Moines, then a train to San Diego. The family found out when they read about it in the Des Moines Register. Chuck went through boot camp training in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and took further training in California. He served in Communications, operating and repairing telegraph and telephones. He spent 1 year in combat in Korea from February 1952 through February 1953. He was injured in the arm in June 1952 from shrapnel from an incoming mortar explosion. He was hospitalized and awarded the Purple Heart. After a few weeks of recovery, he was sent back to the front lines at the 38th Parallel.

After coming back from Korea in February 1953, Chuck went home on leave and got married. He was united in marriage to Jacquelin Ann "Jackie" Morgan, on March 14, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Jackie was also born and raised in Marshalltown. Their honeymoon was driving back to San Diego where they lived for the first year of their marriage until Chuck completed his tour of duty in the Marine Corps. There he taught Communications at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. After his Honorable Discharge, they returned to Iowa and Chuck went back to college.

Chuck attended Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) in Ames, Iowa, from 1953-1957. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in Dairy Industry and Economics.

Chuck and Jackie were blessed with 6 children:

Charles Michael, b. May 8, 1954, Ames, Iowa

Catherine Ann, b. July 4, 1955, Ames

Patrick John, b. November 19, 1956, Ames

Teresa Ann, b. July 20, 1958, Marshalltown, Iowa

Kevin Daniel, b. February 28, 1963, Marshalltown

Bridget Kathleen, b. September 28, 1966, Marshalltown

After Chuck's college graduation, the couple returned to Marshalltown where he was Vice President and plant manager of the family-owned Mead's All Star Dairy for 19 years before it closed in 1981. In Marshalltown, they were longtime residents of 908 W. State St. where they raised their 6 children.

Chuck was active in St. Mary's Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Elk's Club, the Jaycees, where he served a term as President, and many other organizations in Marshalltown. He and Jackie belonged to a square dance club.

Chuck went on to manage dairy production plants in Illinois, Kansas, and Texas. He also managed a branch of Culligan Water in Kansas:

Edwardsville, Illinois - Edwardsville Creamery

Dodge City, Kansas - Fairmont Dairy

Victoria, Texas - Hygeia Dairy

Overland Park, Kansas - Culligan Water branch in Topeka.

They moved to Lawrence, Kansas (half way between Chuck and Jackie's 2 jobs).

Chuck retired in the fall of 1997, and they moved to Longview, Texas.

Chuck and Jackie lived in Galveston, Texas, from 1999-2007.

They moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 2007, and merged homes with their daughter, Cathy.

They enjoyed their grandchildren, traveling, and volunteer work with their parish, Divine Mercy Catholic Church.

Charles Mathew "Chuck" Mead, age 90, of Merritt Island, Florida, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday night, August 29, 2023, at 9:51 p.m. at Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He was smiling and talking to the nurses just a short time before.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Jackie, of 70 years and 5 of his 6 children: Catherine Ann "Cathy" Mead, Patrick John "Pat" Mead, Teresa Ann "Teri" Thorne, Kevin Daniel Mead, and Bridget Kathleen (Richard Michael) Scott. He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Marilyn Ann "Mary" Blocker.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Rosemary Hanora Mead who died in infancy, Catherine Elizabeth Lepine, John Roger Mead, and James Patrick Mead; and his son, Charles Michael "Mike" Mead.

Chuck's family flew back to Iowa with his cremains. A double funeral Mass for Chuck and his son, Mike, was celebrated on May 2, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Marshalltown. Burial follwed at Riverside Cemetery with full military honors.

Information from the obituary, from the family, especially from his wife, Jackie, and from personal knowledge. Submitted by Niece Angela, Member #48520699.