Charles Albert Winfiel

Charles Albert Winfiel received his eternal reward Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the age of 90 years, two months and 2 days. He died peacefully at home, holding hands with Edith, his wife of 67 years. He was born Feb. 25, 1935, on a farm near Bolivar in Polk County, MO. His parents were Howard Winfiel and Helen (Squier) Winfiel. He grew up milking cows on the farm. As the oldest of four children he assumed a leadership role at an early age because his Dad was often away preaching the Word.

His brothers and sister have stories of Charles’ efforts to keep them in line. There is a photo of the boys standing like stair steps and Charles has reached behind Johnny to pull on Dean’s ear to get him to face the camera. And the time he was frustrated that Johnny would not polish his shoes, so Charles polished one of them. And Carol surely suffered PTSD when he taught her to drive. But they all recall with joy the fun times they had with their neighbors, cousins and their pony, Junior.

Charles was saved during a revival held by Abe Waggoner at Elkton Missionary Baptist Church in 1949. He was baptized and joined Salem Missionary Baptist Church where his family attended. After Charles graduated from Fair Play High School in 1953, he attended Southwest Missouri State University for a year and worked as a machinist for Carnahan Fence Company before moving to Kansas City to work as a machinist. While in Kansas City, he began attending church at Good Hope Baptist Church and eventually moved his membership to Good Hope where he enjoyed spiritual growth and fellowship. He liked to recount stories of the construction of the building for the church as the members donated the materials and did the labor.

After their marriage, Edith moved her membership to Good Hope, and they attended regularly. He served many years as the church Treasurer and Song Leader. He was ordained as a Deacon, Jan. 31, 1965 along with Lowell Farmer, Deacon and Dale Beaty, Minister.

In 1957 he went back to SMS to study and joined ROTC. In 1960 he earned a BS degree in Education and entered the Army as a 2nd Lt. where he served six months of Active Duty and then went into the Reserves as a Captain. He led the Kansas City Reserve Unit where he prepared new recruits for boot camp, conducting training to help them achieve higher rank more quickly.

In December of 1958, he married Edith Long at the Wheatland Baptist Church. In 1960, Charlene was born and 18 months later, in 1962, John was born. The family lived in the Hickman Mills suburb of Kansas City and Charles taught Math at Ruskin High School for six years. He had a love of teaching and spent the rest of his life teaching others in some way. There arose some conflict when Charles refused to give the daughter of a school board member a passing grade that she did not earn. It was then that he decided to pursue a career that would “better support his family.” He went to work for Smith Corona, selling photocopy machines. He suffered the lows and enjoyed the heights that came with the Sales Profession.

At some point, he took the Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations. The 14-week course changed his life. He discovered a new self confidence that had been missing and developed a hunger for personal growth. He went on to take the Dale Carnegie Sales Course and volunteered many times as a Graduate Assistant for both courses. Years later, in 1984, he would help to organize the Course in El Dorado Springs. He was not a big reader, but he avidly collected self-improvement and inspirational books for the rest of his life.

In January of 1972, Charles’ Dad called to tell him that the H&R Block office in El Dorado Springs was for sale, and this was his chance to “get out of that city.” He and Edith decided to make the change, bought the franchise and moved to a farmhouse on four acres at Dederick. On these four acres he made sure that his children experienced driving a tractor, baling hay, raising chickens and peacocks, gardening, riding horses and seeing a new foal born.

When they made the move, Charles and Edith spent a week at a card table in the back room of H&R Block learning to prepare tax returns and went to work. The next year, they bought the H&R Block office in Lamar and Edith ran that office for more than 30 years while Charles ran the office in El Dorado Springs. Through the years he taught “Tax School” as a means of developing employees. He even taught tax preparation to the employees of other franchise operators. Throughout his years in business, he hosted one day of the “Party Line” program on KESM where they would call and talk to him as advertisement for his businesses. He was the longest running sponsor they ever had.

In the early years, Charles worked as a plumber for Dennis Pursley during the off season. One day, Dennis told Charles to come to Lion’s Club with him. Charles joined the club and was an active member for 53 years. He was president of the club several times and was District Governor twice. He had great fun being the “tail twister” and was most pleased by the new members he invited and the new Clubs he helped organize. His family enjoyed vacations by attending Lions Clubs International Conventions. He was proud that John and Charlene, as well as several other high school musicians from El Dorado Springs participated in the Missouri All-State Lions Club Bands. When the local Cub Scout Pack had a shortage of leaders, he stepped up to be the Cub Master and recruited Den Leaders so that the local boys could be Cub Scouts. Charles supported the Chamber of Commerce and other community events.

He also taught Math during the first semester of the school year at Walker and Schell City schools when they could not find a Math teacher. He enjoyed those times very much.

Shortly after moving to the area, Charles and Edith moved their church membership to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in St. Clair County, North of El Dorado Springs. Charles was the song leader and Sunday School teacher for most of those years. He was Moderator of the St. Clair County Missionary Baptist Association for many years. In the last ten years, he and Edith were the only active members at Pleasant Grove. During that time, they continued to hire a pastor and meet two Sundays a month. They were determined to keep the church doors open so long as they were physically able. During that time, they also attended the church in El Dorado Springs, where they were warmly welcomed. When they could no longer make the drive to Pleasant Grove, they attended church at Bethel, in Nevada, where they became part of the family. Only weeks before his death he attended services at Blue Mound Mission, and he knelt in prayer at Bethel.

After the death of his Dad in 1980, they moved into town so that his Mother, Helen, could live with them. She spent time visiting her other children but made her home with Charles and Edith for 16 years. Over the years, they owned and operated an Office Supply Store and maintained several rental properties in El Dorado Springs.

Charles was a handy-man and he and Edith did most of the work on the rental properties. He often hired people with the intention of helping them improve their situation. No one knows how many times he loaned people money and traded services for rent. He looked for and saw the potential for good in others. He was quick to overlook or forgive the flaws of others. It was always his desire to be of service to God, family, and community.

When his Grandson, Noah, was born, Charles wanted a place where the city boy could come, play in the creek and experience a rural lifestyle. They moved back to 13 acres at Dederick and happily accomplished that goal.

When Jakadeen Doman was the last active member of Blue Mound Baptist Church, she asked Charles to be a signor on the church bank account. After her death, knowing that she wanted services to continue, he wrote a letter to “Friends of Blue Mound” and invited them to a church service/meeting. At that service, people testified of meaningful experiences they had at Blue Mound and voted to start a Mission that would meet twice a month. Through the years many preachers from around the country have traveled to preach the Word at Blue Mound and many different Baptists have attended spiritual services at the Mission. It has been and continues to be a source of inspiration and fellowship with services on most 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings.

After Edith sold her tax office in Lamar, she and Charles worked together in El Dorado Springs. In 2010, they sold the business and continued to work for Stephanie Harper, the new owner. When Charles’ eyesight failed to the point that he could not see the computer, he retired, and Edith continued to work. She completed 50 years of doing tax returns before Charles had a stroke in August of 2022 and again in December of that year. Charles worked hard at rehab in Springfield after each of the strokes. He made a good recovery, and they moved to Nevada for more suitable housing. He always expected to improve enough to get rid of the walker and never stopped wanting to drive, work and be productive. The Home Health and Hospice professionals who visited him always liked him and brought him gifts, hugs and milkshakes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother John Winfiel; sister- in-law, Norma Winfiel and nephew, Kerry Winfiel.

He is survived by his wife, Edith, of the home; brother, Dean Winfiel and wife, Verna of Bolivar, MO; sister, Carol Stephenson and husband Gail of Springfield, MO; nieces and nephews Sherry Shinn and husband Rob of Lee’s Summit, MO; Ramona Dryer and husband, Danny of Bolivar, MO; Jerry Winfiel of Bolivar, MO; Susan Stephenson of Springfield, MO; Clint Stephenson and wife, Bethany of Springfield, MO; his son, John Winfiel and wife, Miwa and grandson, Noah of Kansas City, MO; his daughter, Charlene Winfiel and husband, Brent Livengood and their children, Nicky Livengood, Emily Jeffery and husband, Chris, as well as their grandchildren Hannah, Rilen, Addyson and Axtin all of Nevada, MO.

Charles was a man with fears and flaws, but his moral character, humility, generosity, and a desire to be a servant of God helped him overcome his weaknesses. We hope to aspire to his example.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116:15