March 28, 2024

Charles Cummins

Fontanelle

Charles, “Chuck” Cummins was born Jan. 26, 1934, in Fontanelle, to Charlie and Ione Van Volkenberg) Cummins in the family home. He passed away Sept. 15, 2021, at Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield at the age of 87.

Chuck graduated from Fontanelle High School in 1951. He was drafted into the U.S. Army just after starting his freshman year of college. After his father died in an auto accident, Chuck returned home after an honorable discharge to take over the family business.

On July 26, 1955, he was united in marriage to Marlene Smutz. Four children were born to this union: Craig, Kaye, Susan, Alecia. They made their home near and in Fontanelle.

Chuck’s passion was looking at the land and making it better for the area farmers by tiling, adding terraces and building ponds. In addition to the construction projects, he farmed and tested the waters on several other business ventures. He loved supporting the community whenever he could by donating time and machines to whatever the need was. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was a member of the local American Legion, Legion Honor Guard, Conservation Board, BF School Board, Fontanelle City Council, member of the Masonic Temple, and he was a Master Mason.

Other things he loved were music and dancing, cars, pitching fast-pitch softball, watching the Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, coffee with the guys, talking politics, bird watching, reading and Sunday drives to check the crops. We all knew that Chuck sometimes had a temper but it was balanced out by his great sense of humor and love for jokes and laughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marlene in 2007, son Craig in 2012 and two of his siblings, Lois Prunty and Merle Cummins.

He is survived by his daughters: Kaye (Brad) Bax of Greenfield, Susan Ehrsam of Urbandale, Alecia (Rob) Viera of Minneapolis, MN; significant other Lillian Nichols; grandchildren: Erin, Jake, Logan, Cortney, Morgan, Holly, Paul, Katy, Connor and Lauren; great-grandchildren: Abigaile, Charles, Emersyn, Gracelyn, Lucas, Amelia, Charlotte and Max; two sisters, Marcene Millhollin of Fontanelle and Patty Wambold of Fontanelle; other relatives and friends.