Charles Seaman Sr.

Charles Elroy Seaman Sr., 90, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, at Ratliff Care Center.

He was born June 14, 1916, in Mount Vernon, Ill., son of Claud and Grace Bennett Seaman. He married Betty Jennings, who died in 1978.

Seaman served in the Coast Guard from July 18, 1942, to Jan. 4, 1946, at Pearl Harbor. He moved to Cape Girardeau from Washington state in 1978. He owned and operated Seaman TV Sales and Repair in Belleville, Ill., more than 35 years, retiring 12 years ago. He was a builder of whitewater kayaks from 1967 to 1980.

He was founder and a member of Belleville Whitewater Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda Tansil of Cape Girardeau; two sons, John Seaman of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Charles "Chuck" Seaman of Redding, Calif.; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

A memorial service will be held at a later date

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.