Elkhart Rotary Member Chuck Kelson
Posted
on Feb 27, 2013
Aug. 10, 1942 - Jan. 21, 2013
ELKHART — Carlisle William “Chuck” Kelson Jr., 70, died at 9:35 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, after a two-month struggle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 10, 1942, in Dalton, Mass., the only child of Carlisle and Evelyn Varnum Kelson.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Eileen, and six children: sons Tad (Carlisle), Chris, Bill and Paul and daughters Kelly and Alley. Also surviving are a stepmother, Isabel Kelson, and stepsister Barb Chappel.
Chuck grew up in the Dalton area, earning an Associates Degree in business at Berkshire College. He began his long professional and business career in pharmaceutical sales. His career path led him into banking and insurance sales. Advancements in the insurance field took him to Sioux City, Iowa, where he lived for 14 years.
Chuck relocated to Elkhart in 1989. He worked in insurance and security sales. Eventually he founded Kelson & Company, a financial consulting firm that provided financial planning for individuals throughout Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties.
Throughout his professional career, Chuck was active in many civic and community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Rotary, Shriners and others. Chuck’s generosity and concern for others led him and his wife, Eileen, to establish Just One, a charitable foundation that concentrates on fulfilling the urgent needs of “just one” person at a time.
Chuck was an avid golfer throughout his adult life. He enjoyed membership in several country clubs in the area. He proudly claimed two holes-in-one and a near-scratch handicap. Chuck loved to sing and could often be counted on to step up to the karaoke microphone. He also enjoyed traveling with Eileen and friends, discovering new restaurants and golf courses wherever he went.
Chuck’s strong religious faith was expressed throughout his life, starting in the choir of Grandma Kelson’s Baptist church and ending with his volunteer service with Granger Community Church. That strong and mature faith invested moral direction and integrity in all of his business and personal relationships.
Chuck had a vibrant curiosity about the world around him and considered life to be an adventure. He was generous and faithful enough to extend trust to the people he met, with the belief that most would prove worthy of that trust. Throughout his 70 years, Chuck maintained an unending enthusiasm for life, an extraordinary gift for encouraging others and a heartfelt affection for everyone he met.
In lieu of all flowers, Chuck and his family have asked that gifts be made to the staff of nurses at Elkhart General Hospital that took care of him during his battle with cancer. Monetary gifts of cash or checks can be sent to First State Bank of Middlebury. Please make checks payable to the Fourth Floor Oncology Nurses of EGH.
ELKHART — Carlisle William “Chuck” Kelson Jr., 70, died at 9:35 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, after a two-month struggle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 10, 1942, in Dalton, Mass., the only child of Carlisle and Evelyn Varnum Kelson.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Eileen, and six children: sons Tad (Carlisle), Chris, Bill and Paul and daughters Kelly and Alley. Also surviving are a stepmother, Isabel Kelson, and stepsister Barb Chappel.
Chuck grew up in the Dalton area, earning an Associates Degree in business at Berkshire College. He began his long professional and business career in pharmaceutical sales. His career path led him into banking and insurance sales. Advancements in the insurance field took him to Sioux City, Iowa, where he lived for 14 years.
Chuck relocated to Elkhart in 1989. He worked in insurance and security sales. Eventually he founded Kelson & Company, a financial consulting firm that provided financial planning for individuals throughout Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties.
Throughout his professional career, Chuck was active in many civic and community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Rotary, Shriners and others. Chuck’s generosity and concern for others led him and his wife, Eileen, to establish Just One, a charitable foundation that concentrates on fulfilling the urgent needs of “just one” person at a time.
Chuck was an avid golfer throughout his adult life. He enjoyed membership in several country clubs in the area. He proudly claimed two holes-in-one and a near-scratch handicap. Chuck loved to sing and could often be counted on to step up to the karaoke microphone. He also enjoyed traveling with Eileen and friends, discovering new restaurants and golf courses wherever he went.
Chuck’s strong religious faith was expressed throughout his life, starting in the choir of Grandma Kelson’s Baptist church and ending with his volunteer service with Granger Community Church. That strong and mature faith invested moral direction and integrity in all of his business and personal relationships.
Chuck had a vibrant curiosity about the world around him and considered life to be an adventure. He was generous and faithful enough to extend trust to the people he met, with the belief that most would prove worthy of that trust. Throughout his 70 years, Chuck maintained an unending enthusiasm for life, an extraordinary gift for encouraging others and a heartfelt affection for everyone he met.
In lieu of all flowers, Chuck and his family have asked that gifts be made to the staff of nurses at Elkhart General Hospital that took care of him during his battle with cancer. Monetary gifts of cash or checks can be sent to First State Bank of Middlebury. Please make checks payable to the Fourth Floor Oncology Nurses of EGH.