Obituary

Jack William Charlsen died on Wednesday (Dec. 1, 2010) at the Presbyterian Manor in Newton.

Jack was born on April 13, 1922, to George and Anna (Schell) Charlsen. He went to Newton schools and graduated from Newton High School in 1941. He played drums in the high school band and enjoyed dancing and music from that era.

In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was stationed in Epwich, England, during World War II. He was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 in which he flew 28 missions over the European theater. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was discharged in September 1945. He was asked if he was scared during the missions, and he said, “No, I am closer to God up here than anyone else!”

He married Ellen May Borth on Feb. 13, 1948, in Newton. They were lifelong companions, and she survives in the home. He returned to Newton and worked at Charlsen’s Market until he was hired by Boeing Aircraft. He was transferred and worked on the Apollo Space Program for the first moon flight. He was transferred back to Boeing Wichita, where he worked until his retirement in 1986.
When he retired, he and Ellen moved to Bella Vista, Ark., for five years. While there, he volunteered for the Bella Vista Crime Watch Program, the post office and Meals on Wheels. In 1992, they returned to Newton, and he joined the VFW Color Guard as sergeant at arms and helped to supply hospital equipment to veterans. He actively assisted with obtaining WWII Markers for VFW members’ grave sites. He placed more than 100 markers for all veterans at local cemeteries. He was a member of the following organizations: VFW Post 971 (for more than 50 continuous years), past member of the American Legion, B.P.O.E., Eagles of Newton, Albert Pike Lodge No. 303, Scottish Rite Temple of Wichita and the Zion Lutheran Church of Newton. The church was important to him and he could be heard, in the midst of difficult situations, reassuring others by saying, “Now, now, have faith.”
After retirement, he kept busy by helping anyone with whatever was needed to be done. He loved his pets, and they were his “babies.” He loved the sport of bowling and participated in many city, state and national tournaments. He served as secretary for most of the bowling leagues in which he participated.

He also is survived by his nieces and nephews and many caring friends.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, one hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Aaron Filipek presiding. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church and Caring Hands Humane Society in Newton.