Charles "Ed" Tighe

Services for Charles “Ed” Tighe, 92, of Chariton, Iowa will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Chariton. A luncheon will be held following the service for a time of fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pin Oak Marsh or the First Lutheran Church.

Charles Edward Tighe was born in Chariton, Iowa to James and Bertha (Evans) Tighe on September 18, 1930. He grew up in Chariton, where he attended Chariton High School.

Ed entered the Navy at age 17. Due to his age, his dad had to sign the papers for him to enter. He spent 4 years and 3 months in the Navy during the Korean War.

Ed met Katherine “Kay” Olson at the VA in Knoxville. They met in January, fell in love, and were married June 8, 1952. The couple was blessed with two children, Chuck and Tam. They spent the next 70 years together.

Ed worked at the Iowa DOT where he was the supervisor of maintenance in Lucas County. He was also a member of the Shriners and the American Legion for over 50 years.

When Ed wasn’t working, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. Being a member of the Shriners, he also would golf to raise money for the Shriners Hospital. According to his grandchildren, he had all the best kinds of hobbies. He taught them many life lessons through these hobbies, as well as how to ride horses. Ed also had a special bond with his nieces and nephews. He adored them and they treated him like a king. He was very protective over his family. He just loved the holidays and spending time with all of them.

Ed always knew how to have fun and had the greatest sense of humor. He loved farming and attending rodeos. Ed also enjoyed traveling. Some of his travels took him to Nova Scotia, England, Ireland, fishing in Canada, and pheasant hunting North Dakota. Ed was also lucky enough to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, DC. He was awarded a Quilt of Valor in July of 2021.

Ed never met a stranger and was so gracious, charming, and polite to everyone he met. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 70 years, Kay; children, Chuck (Gayla) Tighe and Tam (Denny) Bornmann; grandchildren: Maya (Erich) Boettcher, Collin Tighe, TJ Griffiths, and Hannah Tighe; great grandchildren: Ollie, Beau, and Scout Boettcher; as well as Kay’s family and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bertha; brother, Jim Tighe; and sister, Norma Jean Shanks.

The service will be livestreamed through the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/ed-tighe