Obituary - Charles L. Hanavan, Jr.
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Charles Linis Hanavan, Jr. was born June 18, 1926, on a farm near Arapahoe, to Charles Linis Hanavan, Sr. and Anna (Borovicka) Hanavan, the seventh of 10 children. He passed away December 9, 2023, in Cheyenne Wells at the age of 97.
He helped with the family farm while three of his older brothers served their country during World War II. He graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1944, volunteering to serve in the Army in 1946 for seven months stationed at Fort Lewis Military Base in Washington State. Following his service in the Army, he attended Colorado State College A&M in Fort Collins from 1948-50.
Charles married Parthenia (Patsy) Lee Pelton December 19, 1948, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, and began building the family farm with wife and partner, Patsy, in Cheyenne County in 1948.
They were the parents of eight sons and four daughters.
His life was defined by service. From the local “Old Wells” 4-H Club leadership and Cheyenne Wells Lions Club, School Board, Keefe Memorial Hospital, and Methodist Church to the regional Rocky Mountain Farmers Union to the state-level Colorado Farm Service Agency and Colorado Highway Transportation Commission, Charles helped anywhere needed.
He was especially passionate in assisting and helping young beginning farmers and ranchers through his service on the boards of the Farm Credit Association of Southern Colorado, Colorado Rural Rehabilitation Committee, and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Always at the heart of his service was the goal of making family farming, ranching, and rural communities thrive.
He was recognized for his lifetime of unselfish service with his induction into the prestigious Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2020.
The father of twelve children, 30 grandchildren, and 48 great grandchildren, Charles is survived by children, Perry, Darrell (Kathy), Blane (Martha), Doug, Greg (Sandy), Gloria Donnelly, Chris (Melanie), Julie (Kent) Sramek, Jon, Coky (Greg) Palmer, and Connie (Randy) Osborn; grandchildren, Jordan Hanavan, Tia (Bill) Duncan, Jana Hanavan, Melissa (Joe) Deckelman, Glenda (Travis) Bullock, Cherie (Brad) Bornhorst, Daniel (Lynn) Hanavan, Clint (Katie) Hanavan, Abby (Jared) Myers, Sam (Kara) Hanavan, Corrie (Sam) Myersick, Toby (Jenny Rice), Casey (Katy) Hanavan, Jesse (Suzie) Hanavan, Shelley (Colby) Harlan, Kelley (Jake) Derner, Stepheni (Jason) Wood, Robin Donnelly, Jessica (Josh) Benedict, Hillary (Derek) Ellis, Trevor (April) Hanavan, Cameron (April) Sramek, Kellen (Ashley) Sramek, Logan (Ashlee) Hanavan, Drew Hanavan, Kolby (Kelsey) Palmer, Koy (Jacqueline) Palmer, Colton (Beth) Osborn, and Leah (Ryan) Koeller; great grandchildren, Lucy, Henry, Olive, Luciano, Sebastian, Preston, Keenan, Parker, Taylor, Alayna, Evelyn, Bruin, Landon, Avery, Belle, Claire, Maggie, Toby, Evelyn, James, Ingrid, Benjamin, Madison, Maddison, Leah, Easton, Everly, Mason, Taylor, Rylee, Jace, Justin, Joseph, Jadon, Jared, Jeffrey, Graham, Reagan, Foster, Esme, Rowan, Danaleigh, Korbin, Haddie, Camri, Brya, Rynlee, and Rayne.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy (Pelton) Hanavan; son, Chuck; granddaughter, Jenifer Donnelly, grandson-in-law, Kevin Erker; parents, Charles L and Anna (Borovika) Hanavan; and siblings Wayne, Linis, Glen, Phil, Marian, Dale, and Eunice.
Funeral services were held December 19, 2023, at the Cheyenne Wells Methodist Church with Devin Dickey officiating. Burial followed Fairview Cemetery in Cheyenne Wells.
Memorial contributions may be made to Charles Hanavan Memorial Fund at Eastern Colorado Bank in his honor to be split to local organizations, or to Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable Foundation.
Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.
