Charles Werner

Charles Ray "Speedy" Werner died peacefully Aug. 21, 2013. He was 83.

Charles was born June 28, 1930, in Fairfield, Ill., the second of four children, to the late James Harold Werner and Ella Mae Tedford Werner. He was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1948. Charles graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in commercial art. He was a member of the TKE fraternity.

Charles served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in the Army Special Services Unit as a commercial artist. He was based with U.S. forces in Japan until 1955.

After he returned to the States, Charles moved to Cape Girardeau and worked for the Missourian Litho and Printing Co., associated with the Southeast Missourian newspaper. In Cape he met and married Ada Mae Bond on July 9, 1957. Charles started his own business, Werner Art and Advertising, in 1965 in Cape Girardeau and worked until his retirement in 1995, specializing in commercial photography, line drawings, advertising, painting and sculpting. Charles retired due to blindness.

Charles was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church and designed banners, book covers, stage sets and paintings over the years for the many organizations within the church. He had many hobbies and interests including golf, square dancing, bridge, gardening and bonsai trees. He was devoted to his family. In later years, he was an active member of Cape Senior Citizens and president of the Cape Girardeau Blind Club. He was a delegate to the Missouri Council of the Blind and attended State Conferences in Jefferson City to advise government policy on disability services.

Charles moved to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau in December 2006 and eagerly participated in many activities including social dances, outings, concerts, church services and art classes. When he could no longer see, he took up the harmonica and became known at the Veterans Home as the "Harmonica Man." He was known for his positive spirit and Christian witness despite many personal hardships. He leaves behind many friends among the residents, staff and volunteers.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Mae Bond; an infant son, Gregory; his daughter, Jamie Denise Werner; and his brothers Glen Tedford and Harold Eugene Werner. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Kimberly Werner Halter; his sister Marilyn Kay Hillme; their husbands; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Tom Sullenger officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Grace United Methodist Church or to the American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.