Charles H. Culbertson

Charles H. Culbertson passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of eighty-six years, ten months and eleven days.

He was born May 11, 1918 in Cherokee, Iowa the son of Willard L. and Harriett Adeline Culbertson. Charles moved with his family at an early age to Cleveland where he was raised an attended school, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1936. Upon graduation from high school, Charles attended the University of Oklahoma where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1940.

He was married to Phyllis Swan on August 28, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple made their home in Cleveland until Charles was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army on October 3, 1942. He served during World War II as a Sergeant and was honorably discharged on March 2, 1946.

Upon his honorable discharge, the couple moved to Marysville, Kansas where Charles accepted employment as the manager of the local newspaper. While residing in Marysville, their first child, Charles Richard was born. They later moved to St. Joseph, Missouri when Charles accepted employment with a school supply company. While residing in St. Joe, the couple's second child, Kelly Lynne was born. They continued to reside in Missouri until 1957 when they moved to Birmingham, Alabama and then returning to Cleveland, Oklahoma in 1964 after a short time in Dayton, Ohio.

On May 1, 1965, Charles accepted employment as the General Manager of Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC), a position previously held by his father, Willard. He continued to work as Chief Executive Officer of the IEC until his retirement on April 30, 1986 after twenty-three years. During his tenure with IEC, Charles was also active in the Cleveland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cleveland Rotary Club, serving in numerous offices during this time. Additionally, Charles was a former member of the Cleveland Area Hospital Board of Director's as well as serving on the Pawnee County Rural Water District #1, Board of Directors. He was also a member of the American Legion, Everett Taylor Post # 3. Charles was a longtime and faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Cleveland. He was also an avid University of Oklahoma Sooner fan.

Charles is survived by his wife of nearly sixty-four years, Phyllis of the home; a daughter and her husband, Kelly and Keith Potter of Cleveland, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, T. K. Potter and his wife, Karen of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Corbin Potter and his wife, LeeAnn of Glenpool, Oklahoma, Caleb Potter of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Steven Culbertson of Enid, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Jacob Culbertson of Enid, Oklahoma, Carson and Cortland Potter, both of Glenpool, Oklahoma and Ty Fittje of Cushing, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Charles Richard (Dick) Culbertson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, March 25, 2995 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. Faye Good and Rev. George Boston officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit and online obituary and guestbook for Charles H. Culbertson at www.chapman-black.com.