Harold "Chuck" Hamilton Charlton

Harold "Chuck" Charlton passed away on September 15th at the age of 98. He was born in 1919 to Frank and Vernie Charlton in Buhl, Idaho. At the age of 14 he left home, traveling by jumping trains to work picking apples in Washington. He rode the rails to Wyoming to tromp wool and herded sheep for Jim Pence, back in Idaho.

He met Anna Jewett in 1942. Chuck would tell you he spent two years turning Buhl upside down to win Ann's favors and, also tell you it took Ann two years to catch him because her horse wasn't fast enough.

Chuck went into the Army shortly after their marriage. He served near the front lines and sometimes ahead, stringing communication wire. He was in Patton's Army in the European Theater. Chuck said "he crawled across France on his belly". He was awarded the Purple Heart. Chuck's unit was involved in liberation of Dachau concentration camp, an incredibly horrible experience.

Returning from the War, Chuck and Ann herded sheep in the Jarbridge area. Then they farmed in Magic and Wood River Valleys. Along with farming, Chuck worked as a laborer at the INL. He served as Business Manager of the Laborers Union from 1962 until retirement in 1979. He and Anna retired to Challis, keeping some horses and a few sheep. During that time, many pack trips, hunting and fishing excursions were enjoyed by all the family. Chuck and Anna returned to Pocatello in their later years.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 75 years, children, Chuck, Penny, Mary, Joy and Bret; grandchildren, Mike, Pat, Luke, Kate, David, Joshua, Angela, Anna, Amanda, Coral, Chantelle and Noah. There are 14 greatgrandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister, 5 brothers, and grandchildren, Wendy and Mitchel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriner Childrens' Hospital. Chuck was a Scottish Rite Mason.

Funeral services for Chuck will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21st at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road. Burial in the Buhl Cemetery will take place at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family online at wilksfuneralhome.com.

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