Charles Agan

Charles Edward Agan was born on May 12, 1933, to Charles W. and Olive (Vermeule) Agan; the oldest of three sons.  Charles grew up in Manilla and attended Manilla Schools, graduating in 1951.  While in high school he was very involved with sports, but his favorite was playing for the Hawks Football team. His passion for football would continue until the day of his death.  He ran the chains for the Manilla Hawks for 55 years and never missed a Chicago Bears game. 

   Charles always wore a hat and wore many in his life.  His first hat was when he started working for the Milwaukee Road Railroad while in and after high school.  Shortly after, Uncle Sam called upon him to serve in the Korean War where he served in the newly formed Air Force as an MP.  After returning home, Charles would go back to the railroad until the railroad made cut-backs.  He then wore different hats to make up for the lay-off, until he took the hat of Manilla Police Chief.  He was very happy to serve his community and his passion for law enforcement was always apparent.  While wearing his police hat, he also started wearing the hat of the City of Manilla Maintenance Department.  He would put both of these hats on the shelf in 1975 and put on a hat for the Manilla Telephone Company as a lineman.  His final hat would be at Farmland in Denison in maintenance and eventually becoming the manager of the department until his retirement in 2002.

   While in high school, Charles met his future wife Barbara Carothers, whom he would share 62 years with before her death in 2016.  To this union, two sons were born: Jeff and Brad. 

   Charles was always there to lend a helping hand.  It was the way he was brought up and what he taught his family.  He was a member of the American Legion for 67 years, the Masonic Lodge for 62 years, a Manilla City Council member for many years, and a lifelong member of the United Church in Manilla where he again wore many hats including; usher, elder, treasurer and board member.

   Charles entered into eternal rest on December 17, 2018, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. He was 85 years of age.

   Left to carry on his memory are his son Brad (Christy) Agan of Breda; Daughter-in-law Shelly Agan of Manilla; Grandson Justin (Emilie) Agan of Breda; Granddaughter Jennifer (Cameron) Custer of Manilla; Great-Grandsons Blake Agan, Grant Agan, and Lincoln Custer; Brother Richard (Cheri) Agan of Anoka, MN; Brothers-in-law John Dorfler and Robert (Bev) Carothers; Sisters-in-law Becky Agan and Lorraine (Jim) Riley; and nephews, nieces, family, and many friends.

   Charles was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, son Jeff, Parents Charles W. and Olive, Brother David Agan, Parents-in-law Andrew and Marjorie Carothers; and a sister-in-law Lois Dorfler.