Obituary of Charles Edward Stradford

Charles E. Stradford Funeral Services for Charles Edward Stradford of Elsberry, MO will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Kris Hagemeier, pastor of the Elsberry First Christian Church, will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will be in Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Capps, Tom Stradford, Bill Stradford, Jeremy LaBanca, Thomas Hensley and Larry Millikan. Mr. Stradford, 80, passed away Saturday morning, March 12, 2022, at the Elsberry Health Care Center near Elsberry. Born January 31, 1942 in Gerald, MO, he was the son of William Edward and Laura Ester Mcquire Stradford. Charles served his country in the U.S. Army from July 7, 1961 until he was honorably discharged on June 25, 1964. Charles was united in marriage on August 5, 1972 in Hanley Hills, MO to Grace Armada Millikan. He was employed for many years as an inspector for Ford Motor Company in St. Louis, MO, retiring in 1995. He was a member and Past Commander of the VFW Post #9064 in Elsberry where he also served as Quartermaster and currently as Judge Advocate. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #226 in Elsberry. Charlie was a coin collector, an accomplished woodworker and enjoyed gardening. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Laura Stradford; and his beloved wife of 26 years, Grace Stradford who passed away December 28, 1998. Survivors include two sons: Thomas “Tommy” Stradford and his wife, Kacy, of Sandy, OR, and William “Billy” Stradford of Elsberry; one daughter, Rebecca “Becki” Capps and her husband, Danny, of Elsberry; four grandchildren: Megan Hensley and her husband, Thomas, Katlyn Stradford, Cole Capps and Cydnee Capps; and two great-grandchildren: James and Jacob Hensley. Charlie also leaves two sisters: Dorothy Reithmeyer of Elsberry, and Darline Shoemaker of Lindell, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends . Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to VFW Post #9064 in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.