Charles O. Bafford

BLUE MOUND - Charles O. Bafford, 85, of Blue Mound passed away Monday, November 21, 2005. He was born near Moweaqua, IL on December 31, 1919 to Charles F. and Velma (Sills) Bafford. He was a life-long resident of Blue Mound where he graduated from high school in 1937.  He attended Millikin University. He served in the 5th Army in N. Africa and Italy during World War II. Returning to Blue Mound he owned and operated the Blu-Mo Cafe. He married Ruth Alice Salisbury on March 22, 1947.  He began work at Mueller Co. in 1950, and retired in 1981.  Until 2000 Charles and Ruth were snowbirds in Mesa, AZ. Charles loved music, and played the piano and organ. He sang tenor in the Blue Mound Methodist Church choir, the Ansar Shrine Chanters choir and the Velda Rose Methodist Church (Mesa) choir for years. He developed many lifelong friendships in these choirs.  He was active in many community organizations including a member of the Blue Mound School Board, serving as president when the grade school burned in 1966; a co-founder and charter member of the Blue Mound Swim Club; 50 year member of Blue Mound Masonic Lodge # 682 A.F. & A.M., and 50 year member of the O.E.S., a member of the Ansar Shrine for over 40 years; former treasurer of the Blue Mound Methodist Church; and Blue Mound Fall Festival Chairman in 1960. He was artistic and hand-lettered many signs and posters over the years. He enjoyed wood-burning.  He loved to travel, visiting family and friends and attending Shrine activities across the country. In 1980 he revisited Italy with the highlight being Florence where he had served in the war.  He is survived by Ruth, his wife of 58 years; 3 children, Lana Rae (Tom) Averett, Riverton, UT; Dean (Lynn) Bafford, Carbondale; Larry (Janet) Bafford, Decatur; 8 grandchildren, Russell (Michelle), Brian (Amy) and Aaron Bafford, Faith (Santiago) Falla; Allison (Steven) Westenskow; Jessie, Audrey and Gwen Bafford; 4 great-grandchildren, Noel and Lance Bafford, Alexis and Micah Westenskow; sister-in-law, Betty Ruth Bafford, Blue Mound. Preceded in death by his two brothers, Reg and Fae Bafford. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 26, in the Blue Mound United Methodist Church, and the memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or to the Blue Mound United Methodist Church. Messages of condolence may be directed to the family via email at www.dawson-wikoff.com Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound, assisting the family with arrangements. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/LegacyHome.asp