Charles Patrick Henry Clabaugh passed away on December 29th, surrounded by his family at home. He had reached the age of 84 years young. He was born to Charles Elmer Edward Clabaugh and Margaret Alice (Doyle) in St. Louis on January 3rd, 1940.
Charles grew up in the Bel Ridge area off Natural Bridge and talked of playing where Hwy 170 is now as a kid. He was a member of Carsonville Baptist Church. He graduated from Normandy High School and served in the United States Army, serving most of his time in Germany. While stationed there he bought a Volkswagen bug and toured all through Europe whenever he had liberty. When he was discharged, he came back to the States and soon married the love of his life, Sandra Jean (Kreps}. They were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Kelly Marie and Julie Christine. Charles wanted to raise his family in the country so he moved them to Warrenton in 1971 for a slower way of life.
Charles worked most of his life as a Real Estate Appraiser, although he had been a truck driver,
hardware store employee and Real Estate Agent, he desired to learn and would check books out to teach himself how to work on something or build something. He was way before the YouTube era. Charles served on the Carsonville Fire Department alongside his dad and was a Deputy for the Warren County Sheriff's Department on the Auxiliary force when his friend Rick Davis was Sheriff. He was a member of the VFW and Fellowship Baptist Church.
Charles was affectionately known as CawCaw to many children in Warrenton after his nickname given to him by one of his grandsons, it stuck. He stood outside of Fellowship Baptist Church for many years on Sunday mornings and was known as the waver. Charles loved his church and church family, he was always inviting you to church and if you already had a home church he would say good just as long as you go. Charles knew and was ready to go to Heaven, he said in the blink of an eye he would be up there. He kept pointing upward saying "I'm ready!”
Charles loved tennis, hunting, shooting, driving his car with his vanity plates saying CPHC for many years and working on Genealogy, for his family or anyone that would ask. Charles loved going to Branson and spending time at Silver Dollar City. Charles wanted everyone to feel welcome, at events he was the one to go say hi and ask where you were from. He always wanted extra people invited to Holidays so they wouldn't be alone. He had many friends he would check in with, a text or a call, he loved his phone and had many contacts in it, loving it whenever someone would call him to get a phone number.
Charles would do anything for anyone, it was hard on him when he wasn't able to get around as
much and he didn't like to ask for help. Charles was always going to visit someone whether they
were in the hospital, nursing home or homebound. He would inevitably show up. He always had a story to share and gave the best hugs.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret Clabaugh, his In laws Harry
Stover and Mildred Louise Kreps, two brothers, William Quiller Hines, and Henry Clabaugh, brother and sisters in law Robert Wellman, Frank and Joann Lamb, Robert and Mary Louise Biter.
Charles is survived by his loving wife Sandra of 58 years, his daughters Kelly & Jim Shepard, Julie & Rob Schaumberg, 4 wonderful grandsons, Brett Wheeler, Cole (Alyssa) Wheeler, Conrad (Jordin) and Patrick Schaumberg. His dear sister Penny Wellman, many beloved nieces and nephews and friends. He will be dearly missed.
Many thanks go to Warren County Ambulance and Warrenton Fire for the many assists, when he would need help. St Joseph Hospital West took amazing care of him especially on his last visit over the Christmas Holiday, and St Croix Hospice for helping to bring him home to pass peacefully.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday February 22nd, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Warrenton at 11 am. Memorial donations can be made to Fellowship Baptist Church.