Charles Delmer Branson, 90, died May 25, 2016, at Cox Medical Center, Branson, Mo. He was born July 29, 1925, at the Menefee home in Hoberg, Mo., to Samuel Edward and Lillian (Menefee) Branson.

After birth, he returned to the family home in Branson. His family left the family farm during the Great Depression and moved to California, where they picked seasonal crops. Charles entered the United States Army in March 1944, and was deployed to the European Theater of War, participating in the Battle of the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. He received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal. After the war, Charles was discharged from the 18th Infantry Regiment, with the rank of staff sergeant. He continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1959.

After the war, Charles lived in California, working several trades, until he moved to Hutchinson, where he worked as a machinist. He joined the Hutchinson Fire Department in 1950, retiring in 1975 with the rank of captain. Charles started and ran Branson Tree Service until his retirement in 1999, moving to Rockaway Beach, Mo. Charles enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish and camp.

On May 22, 1969, he married his partner and best friend, Linda Kay Neufeld, at the First Baptist Church in Alva, Oklahoma. They celebrated their 47th anniversary this past week. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include: son, Charles E. (Kathryn) Branson of Lawrence; three grandchildren, Chance and Grace Branson of Lawrence, Jessica (Chris) Soden of McPherson; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, James (Marsha) Branson of California. He was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Ronald DeWayne Branson; and sister, Mary Lou Mueller.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time Tuesday at Elliott Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.