Charles R. Vancil

Charles Roy Vancil, 82, of Howard, Colorado passed peacefully on August 15, 2019 in his home after a long battle with cancer.  Charles was born on June 24, 1937 in Litchfield, Illinois to Marion W. and Selena A. (Lansing) Vancil, and he was the eldest son out of 11 children. 

Charles joined the U.S. Navy in January 1955, and his time aboard the U.S.S. Boxer enabled him to visit various parts of the world, including Japan, Hawaii and the Philippines.  After his service in the Navy, Charles returned to Litchfield where he met the love of his life, Sharon Gail Thomsen.  They were married on October 24, 1958 in Litchfield and, shortly thereafter, took a vacation to Colorado where they quickly fell in love with Colorado’s mountains and climate.  They returned to Litchfield only to gather their belongings and move to Colorado.

Charles was a technician/electrician by trade, though he also gained welding, roofing and mechanic skills throughout his working life.  After retiring from Rockwell International (Rocky Flats) in Golden, Colorado, Charles and Sharon made the permanent move to their beloved community in Howard, CO.

Charles loved the outdoors, and he spent countless days camping, exploring, hunting and fishing with his family in the Colorado mountains.  He became an amateur radio (HAM) operator, going by the call sign WB0WJT.  He stayed up many nights entering contests, and later upgraded his license to the extra class and changed his call sign to AB0MR.  He was a firearm enthusiast, and he was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).  He was also a member of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), and he enjoyed competing in Cowboy Shooting events with Sharon. 

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Sharon; son, Gary L. Vancil (Lois) of Westminster, Colorado; daughter, Katherine L. Haase (Steve) of Gunnison, Colorado; four grandsons; four granddaughters; three brothers; and four sisters.  Preceding Charles in death were his father Marion, mother Selena, two brothers and one sister.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Poncha Springs, CO, followed by a short reception, with interment at the Howard Cemetery in Howard, CO at 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations can be made in Charles’ name to the Arkansas Valley Ambulance District (AVAD), in care of Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida, CO.  Online condolences may be offered at lewisandglenn.com.  

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