John Wesley Chariton

John Wesley Chariton went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 7, 2010 (his 91st birthday) at Fairacres Manor in Greeley. He was born to John Wesley and Julia Mae (Burdick) Chariton on February 7, 1919 in New Richmond, WI. He married Mildred Phoenix on June 26, 1940 in Placentia, CA. John served in the US Army from 1942-45 and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in the Philippines from the Third Armored “Spearhead” Division. Upon discharge, John received letters of commendation from Gen. Omar N. Bradley and former U.S. President, Harry S. Truman. John graduated from Biola University in 1952, in California. On January 6, 1957 he was appointed to missionary service by the Board of Directors of the United Indian Missions (UIM), Flagstaff, AZ. On February 1, 1961, he was commissioned by Calvary Church of Placentia, CA to conduct missionary work under UIM. He was in charge of maintenance. He was the automotive mechanic, electrician, builder, plumber, a “jack of all trades” and master of most at the Mission Headquarters in Flagstaff. He preached at a mission church in Peach Springs, AZ and at an Indian Village at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. He and Millie were House Parents for an American Indian Children’s Home briefly in Chambers, AZ. They spent 28 years on mission building projects including some time in Supai (bottom of the Grand Canyon), and Smithers, British Columbia, (living in a small airstream trailer through the winter). They returned to Flagstaff where he retired in 1983. John was meticulous in all his endeavors. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Greeley. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and anything that had to do with woodworking. Survivors include his wife, Mildred of Greeley, children Janice (Ernie) Angell of Greeley, Joyce (Dan) Wagner of Santa Barbara, CA, son Douglas Nahlee of Flagstaff, AZ, grandchildren, Mark (Jamie) Angell of Windsor and Mellany (Tony) Archer of Laramie, WY, great-grandchildren, Emilee Angell of Windsor and Aliyah and Jenayah Archer of Laramie. Services will be held on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Greeley. Inurnment at Fort Logan National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to United Indian Missions in care of Allnutt, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631.