Charles Edwin Bryan

Charles E. Bryan passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Calvin Community.

Charles Edwin Bryan was born in Redding, Iowa on February 21, 1932 to Roy and Ruth Bryan. He was the third of six boys. He was known as Ed to his family and friends as he grew up in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1949, where he played the tuba in the band for several years.

In 1951, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked for the next 15 years at Iowa Packing Company. There, he was introduced to union activities, which he continued for the next 35 years, both at the packing house and later with the Internal Revenue Service. Ed served in many different capacities, from shop steward, treasurer, chief steward, vice president, and president. He also ran a tax service for many years. After the packing house closed, he joined the Internal Revenue Service as an agent for 26 years, and in the last eight years, he served as a computer instructor.

Ed was deeply involved in various organizations, serving as a board member at Calvin Community, the United Way Campaign, and in numerous positions with Knox Church. He also organized reunions for the 96th Field Artillery, his army buddies from Korea, which were held in Branson, Missouri. Ed served with the US Army during the Korean War.

As a teenager, Ed joined the Baptist Church in Mount Ayr. In Des Moines he transferred his membership to Knox Presbyterian Church, which he attended with his family until it closed; Ed and Phyllis then transferred to Windsor Presbyterian Church.

Ed started dating Phyllis Caldwell while they were next door neighbors in Mount Ayr. On March 1, 1952 they married in Des Moines with five people in attendance. Five months later, Ed went into the Army, which included a year in Korea. They enjoyed 71 years together in a happy and loving marriage, and were blessed with three children: Jim, Joni and Nancy.

In 1972, they bought a lot at Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma, Iowa. Over the years they spent a significant amount of time at the lake with their family and the family of Wayne Brundage, who were their neighbors in Des Moines and at Lake Ponderosa. Over the years, many updates were made to what began as a travel trailer, then a mobile home, until finally building the current lake house in 1990. The lake has been enjoyed by multiple generations, starting with them and their children, their grandchildren and now by their great-grandchildren. 

Ed and Phyllis spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona with Joni and Vickie. They enjoyed many activities here including Cubs spring training games. Ed finished several quilts started by his mother-in-law and made one for each of his children and grandchildren. 

Ed was a devoted caregiver to his mother-in-law, Velma Caldwell, his friend, Ellen Polly, and his wife, Phyllis as they battled Alzheimer's disease.

He is survived by his daughters Joni Bryan (Vickie Ferguson) and Nancy Howard (Tim), daughter-in-law Jolene Bryan, sister-in-law Lenora Bryan, grandchildren Melissa Mullinax (Adam), Matthew Bryan, Jami Codner, Alison Rood (Scott) and Bryanne Anderson (Nick), and great-grandchildren Madison, Charlotte, Nora, Jaxon, Benjamin, Emerson and one on the way due in August 2025.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Phyllis, his son Jim, and his brothers Bill, Howard, Dean (Carol), David, and Stanley.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional teams at both Calvin Community and Suncrest Hospice. Their dedication, warmth and support during Chuck’s last years, months, and days was a true blessing to our family.

A visitation and celebration of life will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home on February 19, 2025. Visitation begins at 11:00 am followed by a service at 12:30 pm.There will be a livestream for those who are not able to attend: https://player.vimeo.com/video/1055236771

Interment will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Check back for updated information.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Windsor Presbyterian Church or Suncrest Home Health and Hospice.