Bernie Charlton

Merle Bernard (Bernie) Charlton, Sr., age 85 of Bowling Green passed away April 1, 2019 at the Pike County Memorial Hospital in Louisiana. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday April 5, 2019 at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green with Rev. Don Amelung officiating. Burial will be in the Poore Cemetery in Mozier, IL with military rites being conducted by American Legion Post #370 and MO Funeral Honors. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Bernie was born August 30, 1933 in Calhoun, CO the son of George Bernard and Lena Eldara Cloniger Charlton. He married Roy Jean Wilkerson on June 28, 1975. She survives. Other survivors include sons Merle B. Charlton Jr. (Leanna), Roy Allen, Gremard (Keri), Kenneth W. Charlton (Melissa); daughters Vickie Bates (David), Rose Overstreet, Anna Gremard, Judy Kay Kenner (Jeff), Rebecca Henson (Rodney); grandchildren Krystal, Colton, Jacob, Brianna, Jonathan, Hani, Lana, Keri, Ashley, Gage, Lillian; and great grandchildren; brothers Kenneth Lee Charlton, John William Charlton (Alice), David Eugene Charlton (Lorie); sisters Laura Lee Meyer (Jeff), Judy Lou Sweet (Robbie); sister-in-law Jane Gillahan (Ronald); brother-in-law David Wilkerson (JoAnna) numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by siblings Rebecca Gleta Charlton, Willis Francis Charlton, George Edward Charlton, Vernace Wayne Charlton, Betty Naomi Kelsay, Hubert Ellis Charlton, James Elba Charlton; special niece Betty June Grote; and sister-in-law Marilyn Wilkerson. Bernie was raised on a farm in Mozier, IL, went to a two room school house until the 3rd grade he then lived in New Bloomfield and later Louisiana during his school years. He met the love of his life in Cahokia and they settled in Bowling Green. He was a member of the Church of Christ, served in the Airforce/Army during the Korean War, was a member of the Elks Lodge, MO Pest Control Association and a lifetime member of the American Legion. Bernie worked at Win-Co Manufacturing, Townhouse Furniture, O’Donnell’s Pest Control and later owned and operated Bernie’s Pest Control for 27 years. He enjoyed baseball, especially his favorite team the Cardinals, word puzzles, singing, playing the washboard, dancing with his favorite niece Betty June and was a Golden Glove Boxer. He fought in the light heavy division at Keil Auditorium in St. Louis and Admiral Kuntz Armory. Pallbearers will be Colton Charlton, Jacob Henson, Gage Henson, Aiden Minor, Steven McChristian, John Charlton, David Charlton and Roy Allen. Honorary pallbeares will be Merle B. Charlton Jr. and Kenneth Charlton. Memorials may be made to Pike County Home Health and Hospice or the Shriners Hospital.

Bernie Charlton

August 30, 1933 - April 1, 2019