Clarence Chartier

January 5, 2023

Clarence Lee Chartier, 90 of Kearney, formerly of Joplin, Missouri, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at Kinship Point Northridge in Kearney. His funeral will be at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) Jan. 5, at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney with Pastor John Fowler officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Athens Cemetery, Jewell, Kansas.

Clarence was born Dec. 8, 1932, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Arthur L. Chartier, Sr. and Katherine L. (Cook) Chartier. He was raised in Leavenworth and received his education from Leavenworth High School, graduating with the Class of 1951. Clarence then attended Kansas State University where he met Jeneane Holloway. The couple was united in marriage May 29, 1952, on campus. Clarence's first employment was as a newspaper carrier beginning shortly before his 9th birthday. From that time on during his education years he always had part-time jobs. After marriage, he worked in the retail field for several years and worked briefly for Union Pacific Railroad before beginning his career at the U.S. Postal Service in Joplin, Missouri, retiring in 1992.

He was recognized as the First Mayor of Loma Linda, Mo., after his efforts in incorporating the town in 1995. Clarence was well known in the Joplin and Loma Linda communities, and was active in Cub Scouts as a Pack Master and was a 32nd degree Mason. He enjoyed singing and was a longtime member of the "Keenagers" which sang at numerous events. Clarence enjoyed playing golf, achieving a hole-in-one in 1988. He was also an avid photographer.

Survivors are his wife, Jeneane Chartier of Kearney; children, Roxanne (Keith) Tillotson of Kearney, Dr. Gavin (Tonya) Chartier of Vincennes, Ind. and Vance (Linda) Chartier of Hays, Kansas; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Merlin (June) Holloway of Arlington, Texas and Leon (Aurora) Holloway of Round Rock, Texas; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arthur L. Chartier, Jr .; and his sisters, Bonnie Chartier and Donna Douglas.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the Athens Cemetery, Rural Jewell.

Memorials are suggested to AsceraCare Hospice. Condolences may be shared online at http://www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell, is in charge of arrangements.