Charles Blattner

Charles Frederick Blattner of Cape Girardeau, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at Chateau Girardeau Health Center at the age of 85. He was born November 20, 1931 in Cape Girardeau the sixth of seven children of Charles Frederick and Helena Maria Rosa Kies Blattner both now deceased. Preceding him in death are five of his six siblings. He graduated from Central High School in Cape Girardeau, MO, Class of 1950. While in high school, he excelled at basketball, baseball, and football and kept up with his basketball teammates at yearly reunions. While in high school, Charley also played baseball for a Junior American Legion Team - the Mainliners. Upon aging out, he became the head coach of the Mainliners at age 19, winning a State Championship while only being one out away from the World Series and was one of the top 8 out of 16,000 teams across the country that year. Charley attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1950 - 1952. Bored with college, he summoned his high school sweetheart home from college in Virginia and told her it was time to get married. She agreed, and he and the former Joyce LaVon Erlbacher were wed September 6, 1952 at the First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. The National Guard was a large part of Charley’s life, and he enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard, 140th Infantry Regiment on April 21, 1949. He served a total of 35 years reaching the rank of Brigadier General, Missouri Army National Guard. His former commands include the 140th Infantry Regiment, the 35th Engineer Brigade, the 135th Engineer Group, and the 1140th Engineer Battalion. While Charley was very active with the Missouri Army National Guard, he co-owned and operated many businesses in his lifetime. He was President and General Manager of Erlbacher Materials, Inc., Blattner Brothers Real Estate Inc., Sec. Tres. of Tel-line, Inc., Vice President Midwest Cable & Splicing, President, South K., Inc., Blattner & Erlbacher Properties, LLP, and Route W Mobile Home Court, LLC. He was an active member of both the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Exchange International. He served for ten years on the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority serving as Chairman for three of those years. Charley was on the Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Authority of Cape Girardeau County, and he was a member of the National Guard Association of the United States, National Guard Association of Missouri and Society of American Military Engineers. In his lifetime Charley especially enjoyed being with his family- many good times were had at Kentucky Lake along with annual vacations to Cancun, Mexico. He was an avid student of history ranging from ancient civilizations through World War II. In addition, he traveled the world not just for enjoyment sake but to learn more about each country’s history. Charley was an avid bird watcher, and he and Joyce enjoyed dancing until he was no longer able. Charley is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years Joyce Erlbacher Blattner of Cape Girardeau, one son, Charles "Rick" Frederick (Tracy) Blattner III of Cape Girardeau, three daughters, Jayne (Loyd) Ervin of Cape Girardeau, Julie (Richard) Straus of Cape Girardeau, Sara (John) Kramer of Huntleigh, Missouri, one sister, Barbara Blattner (Dave) Schaffner of Cape Girardeau, twelve grandchildren, Eric Adam (Sarah Jo) Kelley of St. Genevieve, Missouri, Kendra Kelley (Lannie) Harris, Regan Kelley (Nick) Laiben, Trevor Charles (Ashley) Blattner, DDS, all of Cape Girardeau, Jill-Ann Blattner (Donny) Mai of Brentwood, Tennessee, Richard Kelly (Rachel) Straus. Jr. of Columbus, Georgia, Virginia Anne Straus of Atlanta, Georgia, Grace Helen Straus of Atlanta, Georgia, Charles Bernard Straus of Cape Girardeau, Minna Louise Straus of Cape Girardeau, Kathryn Margit Kramer of Huntleigh, Missouri, John Hunter Kramer of Huntleigh, Missouri, and ten great-grandchildren, Jackson Curtis Kelley, Monroe Abigail Kelley, Hayden Scott Harris, Kellan Scott Harris, Avery Grace Laiben, Kate Patton Blattner, Nora Jane Blattner, Ayla Linh Mai, Sawyer Kelly Straus, and William Charles Straus. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 followed by the funeral service at 1:30 pm at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Dave Conley and Rev. Dr. Barry Winders officiating. Immediately following, burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau with full military honors. Charley’s family would like to thank everyone who lovingly cared and comforted him during his time at Chateau Girardeau Health Center and especially for their love and kindness in his final days. We would also like to thank Southeast Hospice for their guidance and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701 or Southeast Hospice, #10 Doctors Park, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Charles Blattner

November 20, 1931 - October 18, 2017