Rev. Charles Edward Kohlbaker

Rev. Charles Edward Kohlbaker, 88, a resident of Bertrand, Mo., passed from this life to receive his reward from his Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girar-deau, Mo.

He was born March 6, 1924, at Wood River, Ill., to the late Solomon and Sallie Ann Burnett Kohlbaker.

Charles grew up in Wood River during the Depression era and enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after the start of WWII at the age of 17, serving three years in the South Pacific. He was a carpenter and millwright by trade.

In 1957, he was ordained as a Minister of The Gospel by the General Baptist Church. He pastored several churches in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. Preaching the word of God was his great passion. He was a member of the Abundant Grace Church near Bertrand.

On Jan. 26, 1962, he married Peggy Jean Stiritz, who survives at their home in Bertrand.

Also surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Carol Blankenship of Godfrey, Ill., and Michael and Marty Kohlbaker of Dexter, Mo.; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Sue and Wayne Carter of East Alton, Ill., Deborah and Phillip Tiller of Bunker Hill, Ill., Melissa and Keith Coots of East Prairie, Mo., Charlene and Ed Meiser of Bethalto, Ill., and Judy Rynders of Godfrey, Ill.; 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Clint Baker, Wade Baker, Steve Baker and Andy Baker; and two sisters, Bernice Tappy and Mary Fosha.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time for the funeral service at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, at the Abundant Grace Church on Highway 62, near Bertrand, Mo. Officiating will be Pastor Larry Kirby and Mr. Kohlbaker's son, Rev. Mike Kohlbaker of Dexter.

Committal services with full military honors will be provided by the Missouri Military Hon-ors Program and will be conducted at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo.

Memorials may be made to Abundant Grace Church, 509 West Highway 62, Bertrand, Mo., 63823.

Arrangements are under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston, Mo.