Charles Blattner

Charles Frederick Blattner of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center at the age of 85.

Charles Blattner

He was born Nov. 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 were five of his six siblings.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School, the 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 eight out of 16,000 teams across the country that year.

Charley attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1950 to 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 Sept. 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. and Blattner Brothers Real Estate Inc.; secretary-treasurer of Tel-line Inc.; vice president Midwest Cable & Splicing; president of South K. Inc., Blattner & Erlbacher Properties LLP and Route W Mobile Home Court LLC.

He was an active member of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Exchange International. He served for 10 years on the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority board, 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’s 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; a son, Charles “Rick” Frederick (Tracy) Blattner III of Cape Girardeau; three daughters, Jayne (Loyd) Ervin of Cape Girardeau, Julie (Richard) Straus of Cape Girardeau and Sara (John) Kramer of Huntleigh, Missouri; a sister, Barbara Blattner (Dave) Schaffner of Cape Girardeau; 12 grandchildren, Eric Adam (Sarah Jo) Kelley of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, Kendra Kelley (Lannie) Harris, Regan Kelley (Nick) Laiben and 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, Grace Helen Straus of Atlanta, Charles Bernard Straus of Cape Girardeau, Minna Louise Straus of Cape Girardeau, Kathryn Margit Kramer of Huntleigh and John Hunter Kramer of Huntleigh; and 10 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 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the funeral service at 1:30 p.m., at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Dave Conley and the Rev. Dr. Barry Winders officiating. Immediately following, burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors.

Charley’s family would like to thank everyone who lovingly cared for and comforted him during his time at Chateau Girardeau Health Center and especially for their love and kindness in his final days. They 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 St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or Southeast Hospice, No. 10 Doctors Park, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.