CHARLES W. TAFF

Charles Walter “Chuck” Taff, 76, died January 26, 2024 at his home in Canton, Mo.

He was born January 19, 1948 in Princeton, Mo., to James and Margaret Taff.  He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1966.  He married Linda Taff on August 6, 1969 and had 6 children: Aaron, Adam, Joshua, Daniel, Megan, and Benjamin.  He later married Randie Crist on Dec. 23, 1988, gaining two children, La Trisha and Marc, and fathering Mariah and Jacob. He is also survived by twenty-three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Margaret Taff; his first wife, Linda; and his son, Marc.   

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, and was skilled in home and auto repair. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1966 and retired honorably in March 1992 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 after 26 years of service.  He served a combat tour in Vietnam as an Airfield Recovery Specialist and earned the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross with Palm and Frame). He later served as an Airfield Operations Officer, earning the Meritorious Service Medal and two Meritorious Unit Commendations. He was a lifetime member and advocate for The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Arnold’s Funeral Home in Canton, Missouri with Adam Taff officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of services at Arnold’s Funeral Home in Canton.

Music will be:  “I Am a Child of God” and “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” by the Quincy LDS Missionary and a recorded selection, “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” by Patty Loveless.

Pallbearers:  Aaron Taff, Adam Taff, Joshua Taff, Benjamin Taff, Corbin Hern, James Taff, Fred Howard and Robbie Tallman. Honorary Pallbearers: La Trisha Crist, Mariah Taff, Megan Hern, Casey Taff, Jacob Taff, Dorsan Hern and John Howard.

Burial with military honors by Otto Bruner Post #170 will be in Forest Grove Cemetery at Canton.

Memorials may be made to the Forest Grove Cemetery Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of Arnold’s Funeral Home, Canton, Mo.