February 27, 1929 ~ May 1, 2023 Charles J. Gleason

Charles J. Gleason, 94, of Central City, passed away Monday, May 1, 2023, at his home.

Funeral services were Friday, May 5, 2023, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton with Pastor Joy Church officiating. Burial followed at Fullerton Cemetery in Fullerton. Visitation was Thursday, May 4th at the funeral home. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is serving the family.

Charles was born on February 27, 1929 to Charles and Pearl (Allington) Gleason at Fullerton and was raised on farms in the Fullerton area. He graduated from Fullerton High School, where he met Janice E. Kellogg. They were married on May 27, 1950 in Mankato, KS, shortly after Janice graduated from high school. Charles farmed with his father for two years and worked part-time as an electrician as well. In 1952, they moved to Grand Island, where he worked full-time as an electrician for approximately six weeks. However, Charles felt that profession was not where his future lay, so he accepted a position as an assistant manager for the J.C. McDonald clothing store in Valentine, where he worked for the next five years. In 1959, he was promoted to manager of the McDonald’s store in Smith Center, KS, where his father had grown up and many aunts and uncles still resided. In 1966, he was promoted once again to a larger McDonald’s store in Albion. It was a great opportunity to move closer to immediate family. In 1976, Charles decided to change professions once again and was hired by State Farm Insurance to be an agent in Atkinson, NE. Charles loved working with State Farm and remained with the company until his retirement in 1994. Following his retirement, Janice and Charles spent summers in their home in Pickstown, SD and their winters in their residence in Casa Grande, AZ. Highlights of their retirement included the wonderful friendships established at the RV park in Arizona and the many activities arranged which included travel and volunteer experiences. Another retirement highlight was the fulfillment of one of Charles’ lifelong dreams, a trip to Alaska. In 2008, Charles and Janice sold their homes in South Dakota and Arizona and moved to Central City to be closer to family.

Throughout his life, Charles greatly enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing, golf, and travel. He also treasured time spent with family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan (Wes) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Jim (Chris) Gleason of Fullerton; grandsons, Aaron Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD, Brad (Candace) Gleason of Fullerton, Brian (Morgan) Gleason of York, and Mike Gleason of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Everett, and Evan Gleason of Fullerton and Sage, Reese, and Quinn Gleason of York.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Janice; parents, Charles S. and Pearl Gleason; and brother, Bob Gleason.