Charles M. Fleming

Charles Melvin Fleming, age 75, of Pomona, died peacefully at his home at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2009, at Dutch Ridge Baptist Church near Pomona, and burial will be at Tower Grove Cemetery with military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, the V.F.W. Post # 7190 and 2605, and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Pettett Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Dutch Ridge Baptist Church, the Veteran's Organization of your choice, the American Red Cross or TIP Hospice. Charles was born March 10, 1934, in Murphysboro, Illinois, to Charles Lavern Fleming and Naomi (Lingle) Fleming. He married Shelby Fielding on April 13, 1957, in Murphysboro, and shared fifty-two years together. He served in the U.S. Army, just after the Korean Conflict. Charles was a graduate of Washington University and University of Missouri-Rolla. He worked as a Metallurgical Engineer at McDonnell Aircraft his entire career. Returning to his childhood hometown of Murphysboro was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Charles had an incredibly strong work ethic and enjoyed the manual labor of setting fence posts, clearing trees and otherwise maintaining his farm. In earlier years, he would be up early to fish "while the bass were striking". Charles also had fond memories from several deer hunting excursions taken with his sons-in-law. But Charles will be most remembered for his humorous stories and wide breathe of knowledge, entertaining family and friends alike. Charles was a member of the Dutch Ridge Baptist Church in Pomona. He also was a member of the American Legion Post #127, as well as, the Washington University Alumni Association, and the NRA. Charles was an active member of the class of 1951 Alumni Association of the Murphysboro Township High School. He regularly helped organize events and class reunions. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 52 years Shelby Jean (Fielding); two daughters and sons in law Margo and Roger Nord and Linda and Greg Pietroburgo both of St. Louis, MO; five grandchildren, Jennifer Ramsey and her husband Chaplain James R. Ramsey of Augusta, GA; Katherine Jackson and her husband Zach Jackson of Charlotte, NC; Christopher Nord of Phoenix, AZ; and Anthony and Addison Pietroburgo, of St. Louis, MO; two great grandchildren: Julia Ramsey and Jadon Ramsey of Augusta, GA; and one sister: Marie Weldon of Beecher, Illinois; He was preceded into death by his parents, and one sister, Mary Ann Fleming.

Charles M. Fleming

March 10, 1934 - August 25, 2009