Charles Chuck Richard Ring

Charles Richard Ring entered the celebration of life on November 3, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City at the age of 78. Funeral services for Chuck will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 5, 2005 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 South Pennsylvania Avenue with Rev. Bill Poland officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood ? St. Joseph Cemetery will graveside military rites conducted by the Mason City Veteran?s Memorial Association. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be given to the Charles Ring Memorial Fund. Chuck was born at Stronghurt, Illinois on July 24, 1927 the son of Charles O. Ring and Vera Miller Ring. He was honored by being baptized by his Grandfather, Charles Edward Ring who was a Methodist minister. Chuck moved a lot so he attended many schools in Illinois. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and having a bonfire and visiting with the other campers was a joy to Chuck. Gardening was something he marveled at. He saw what God could make out of those little seeds and plants. What a miracle that was to watch and provide food for the winter. Charles loved life and admired all of God?s creations. Charles served in the Army in 1945 and then again in 1950 serving in both Germany and Korea. He worked many jobs in his lifetime, but he retired after 30 years from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition and various other federal organizations. Charles was married to Thelma Beck in 1948 and to this union two children were born. He had the great pleasure of taking in three foster children and felt it was a wonderful felling to help someone in need. He assisted special needs children in bowling in Des Moines and also was a little league coach when his children were involved. He was married to Bernice Nelson Ring in 1978, Bernice died in 1991. On January 25, 1992 he was married to Charlotte Helps. Together they resided in Mason City. He was very active in volunteer work, taking part in the Care Review Board for Good Shepherd Health Center, North Iowa Mercy Medical Center, prepared income taxes for the AARP at the Senior Citizens Center, and he was a trustee and a member of other boards at Wesley United Methodist Church. Chuck was also president of the East Village Home Owner?s Association and was awarded the Giving Your Best Award for volunteering of his time. Chuck was a champion bowler for many years?even while in a wheelchair. Those left to cherish his memory and the joy of living life to the fullest everyday are his wife Charlotte Helps Ring of Mason City; son Terry Ring of Durand; daughter Pamela Ring Fauble of Delavan, Illinois; sisters, Jo Sutter of Mt. Pleasant, Sue Perry of Burlington; grandchildren, Brandy White, Aaron White and Amanda Ring; great granddaughter, Laney White; step children, Randy and Barb Helps of Ankeny, Gary and Ronda Killam of Glendale, Arizona, Rick and Julie Helps of Johnston; step grandchildren, Christopher Helps, Chris and Cali Jermeir, Eric and Heather Killam, Amy Killam, Ryan Helps and Jessica Helps; step-great grandchildren, Bryce and Ellie Jermier and Ethan Killam. He has many nieces and nephews and a host of good friends. Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Charles Ring, mother, Vera Tilton, step-father, Wiley Tilton and two wives, Thelma Beck Ring and Bernice Nelson Ring. Even though he had cancer, Chuck believed that each day was truly a gift of life to enjoy and each moment a treasure. Chuck knew he was going to a better life of peace. Chuck lived by this motto: ?Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a present, live each day to the fullest.? Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation:
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue on November 4, 2005 (map/driving directions) 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue on November 3, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
10:30 AM at 1405 S. Pennsylvania on November 5, 2005 (map/driving directions)