Charles Eugene Shults

Charles Eugene Shults

Fairfield

A former Fairfield man and career educator, Charles E. Shults died peacefully on June 18th in Sahuarita, Arizona. He was 89 years old, six weeks short of turning 90.

Charles Eugene Shults was born on August 2, 1934 in rural Southeast Missouri and grew up among four siblings in St. Louis, where his family located when he was a young boy. He graduated from McKinley High School in St. Louis before attending Truman State University (formerly Northeast Missouri State University) where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He subsequently earned an EdS degree from the University of Iowa.

During his senior year in college, Charles met freshman music student Carolyn Jeanne Poole of Hannibal, Missouri. They married in 1955 and had three children. His passing on June 18 coincided with their 69th wedding anniversary.

Charles began his career teaching music and English in St. Louis and Shelbina, Missouri. The Shults family moved to Iowa in 1964 where he spent the next 30 years of his career — initially as a music instructor and band director in Keosauqua and later as principal of Libertyville and Roosevelt elementary schools in the Fairfield Community School District. He later served as curriculum director for the district. His wife, Jeanne, received a bachelor’s degree from Parsons College and taught at Lincoln Elementary School.

Charles was a member of the Fairfield Kiwanis Club and an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where he served several years on the parish vestry.

Charles retired in 1994, completing a 40-year career in education. He and Jeanne moved to Arizona where they lived 23 years in Lake Havasu City and the past seven years in Sahuarita. During retirement Charles enjoyed boating, golfing, and playing violin and baritone in local bands and, most of all, spending time with family.

Charles survived by his wife of 69 years, three children, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.