Charles Walter Sones

On Sunday August 20, 2017, Charles W. (Chuck) Sones, age 92 went home to be with our Lord.
He was born June 5, 1925 in Indianola, Iowa to Howard and Mae (Roberts) Sones. Chuck graduated from Minden, Nebraska High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and rose to the rank of Staff Sargent, 34th Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division and served in New Guinea, Philippine Islands and Kyushu, Japan. Chuck was honorably discharged in 1946 and was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Chuck married the love of his life, Marilynn E. Bennett, in 1946. Attending the University of Iowa after his discharge and marriage, he and Marilynn and their first two sons (Drew and Tom) graduated in 1949 as life-long Hawkeyes. After graduation, he and Marilynn moved to Southern California on the recommendation of Marilynns parents, where they raised their four sons in Whittier and Santa Maria and later again in Whittier. Chuck and Marilynn were dedicated members of East Whittier Presbyterian Church for many years. Chuck worked in the building materials industry first for U.S. Gypsum and retired from Southern Distributors in 1998 as Controller/Treasurer. Chuck and Marilynn enjoyed living in Leisure World and the freedom it gave them to travel with their Leisure World friends. They especially enjoyed cruising the world after his retirement.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Marilynn, having just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary; sons Drew (Susan), Tom (Molly), Jon (Carolyn), and Paul (Lisa); twelve grandchildren Aimee, Colin (Deonne), Erin (Joe) Borchard, Anna (John) Ennis, Bradley, Kellie (Steven) Nelson, Eric, Nicole (Mitchell) Jones-Hybskmann, Amanda (Paco) Guzman, Jessica (Scotty) Richardson, Gary Ray (Lindsay), John; and twelve (12) great grandchildren.
Chuck, along with Marilynn, were active members of the Leisure World Community Church singing in the choir together as well as participating in the Friendly Couples group and the Traveling Tigers organization. Chuck was a member of the church SPRT Board of Directors and the Finance Committee. He was a Charter Member of the Nipomo CA Lions Club exemplifying the Lions motto of We Serve and was beloved by all he met.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Community Church of Leisure World, 14000 Church Place, Seal Beach, CA on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 9:00 AM. The service will be followed by a continental breakfast and fellowship in Edgar Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donation be made in Chucks name to the Community Church of Leisure World to be used to support the Food Finders Program. Please make sure there is a notation on your checks directing the funds to this program. Additionally, we invite you to see more family tributes at www.WhiteEmerson.com.