Charles Schmidtberger

Charles R. Schmidtberger, 74, of Marion, died March 16 in Wichita.

Born July 1, 1935, in Big Rapids, Mich., to Herman and Luetta (Turner) Schmidtberger, he moved with his family to Russell County where he graduated from Paradise High School in 1953.

After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and was a machinist mate aboard the USS Essex Aircraft Carrier.

He married Rosalie Naylor July 10, 1955, at Natoma. They lived in Bremerton, Wash., until Charles was honorably discharged from the Navy in March 1956. They returned to Russell where he was a patrol officer for Russell Police Department.

On Sept. 4, 1962, Charles was appointed game protector for Kansas Wildlife and Parks in Marion County where he served for 32 years, retiring in 1994.

He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion.

His parents; a brother, Larry; and a son, Roger, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Rosalie of Marion; a son, Michael of Gardner; a daughter, Lori Loney of Derby; a sister, Donna Albrecht of Russell; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services were Friday morning at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion.

Burial was in Marion Cemetery with military rites provided by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Honor Guard.

A memorial fund has been established with the church and may be made in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Marion KS 66861.