Dan C. Charlton, 88, died Sept. 17, at BJC Hospital in St. Peters with his beloved wife Mary Jane Charlton by his side.
Mr. Charlton was born Feb. 5, 1935, in Murray, Callaway County, Kentucky to Estel & Clover (nee: Rogers) Charlton. Mr. Charlton graduated from Puryear High School, Puryear, TN in 1954 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958. He was a Korean War veteran.
Mr. Charlton married Mary Jane Outland on Dec. 22, 1956, and they looked forward to celebrating 67 years of marriage later this year. His greatest joy came from spending time with family – Mary Jane, their children David and Donna, granddaughter Brianne, siblings and in-laws. They spent many a weekend camping and fishing.
Mr. Charlton graduated from Murray State (Kentucky) Teachers College in 1962 and taught one year in Kentucky before moving to Wright City, where he taught business courses from 1963-1999 and drove a school bus from 1964-2003.
There isn’t a child who graduated from Wright City High School during that time who did not know Mr. Charlton as their business teacher or their bus driver either to or from school or an away ballgame. Mr. Charlton stood guard outside of his classroom during class changes and promptly closed his door when the bell rang. You didn’t want to be late to class, as you might be the recipient of one of his pranks or be called upon to answer a few extra questions for your tardiness.
He enjoyed visits with former students whether it be at McDonald’s, where he enjoyed a large Diet Coke upon retirement, elsewhere in the community or at the Wright City Alumni annual dinner.
Besides fishing and camping, Mr. Charlton enjoyed gardening and trap shooting. In recent years, he liked listening to country music. Retirement was special because he could spend more time with granddaughter Brianne, watching her grow up.
Mr. Charlton is survived by his wife Mary Jane (nee: Outland) Charlton; son David Charlton of Wright City; daughter Donna (Brian) Forsyth of Mascoutah, IL; granddaughter Brianne (Austin) Wittnebel, Oklahoma City, OK; step-granddaughter Alyssa Forsyth, St. Charles; step-grandson Clayton Forsyth, New Baden, IL. Siblings Dale (Patti) Charlton, Puryear, TN; Shirley (Jay) Alsobrook, Benton, KY; and Susan (Donald) Barrett, Calvert City, KY; sisters-in-law Becky Hampton, Murray, KY and Sue Outland, Murray, KY; and many nieces and nephews who were also dear to his heart.
Mr. Charlton was preceded in death by his parents Estel and Clover Charlton and an infant sister Janene Charlton.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22 and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. at Pitman Funeral Home in Warrenton. The service will be officiated by Mark Robinson of Warrenton Church of Christ. There will be a private interment at Wright City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Diabetes Association or an animal shelter of your choice.
