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Portrait of Charles Lynn Michaels
“He was a half decent old boy.”

Charles Lynn Michaels

December 4, 1936 – December 27, 2021
Lived 85 years
Sunrise Cemetary · Manhattan, Kansas
Life story

Charles Lynn “Charlie” Michaels passed away December 27th at his home southwest of Manhattan. He was 85.

Shortly after his birth on December 4, 1936 in Olivet, KS, Charlie lost his father Lynn Michaels to pneumonia, leaving his mother Pauline a widow with 2 small children during the depression. His mother persevered and would eventually marry Harold Supple of Michigan Valley, who became the only father Charlie ever knew.

Charlie grew up on the Michigan Valley farm and graduated from Overbrook High School in 1954. He then attended Kansas State University, majoring in Agricultural Education, and was a member of the AGR fraternity. He participated on K-State’s Livestock, Dairy, and Meats judging teams, winning several national awards. Charlie married Alice Whitney of Manhattan in August of 1958, just prior to his graduation the following January.

After graduation from K-State, Charlie judged livestock at several county fairs, and was named Herdsman for the Beeks Hereford Ranch in Baldwin City, KS. He continued in that capacity until 1965, when he took a position at the Kansas Artificial Breeding Service Unit (KABSU) under K-State’s Animal Sciences department at the corner of College and Claflin Avenues in Manhattan. He was eventually promoted to Associate Professor and named Manager of KABSU until his retirement in 2000. While at KABSU, he served on the National Association of Animal Breeders Board of Directors.

Charlie was active locally as a 4-H leader for 25 years, served on the Riley County Fair board, and was elected to the Ogden Township board for several years.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister Gavona Martin Hardin. He is survived by his wife Alice of the home, and his children Wayne Michaels and wife Wendy of Manhattan, Melanie Owens and husband Samuel of Des Moines, IA, Lori Michaels of Lees Summit MO, grandchildren Whitney Hensing, Wren and William Michaels, Amanda and Michael Owens, and great-grandchildren Lorelai and James Hensing. Also surviving are brothers Dean, Duane, and Dennis Supple, and sister Janie Wyand.

A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, December 27 from 3-5pm at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, with funeral services scheduled for the 28th at 2pm. A short graveside service at the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan will follow.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Riley County 4-H Foundation and to Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

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The world Charles knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1936
Born December 4
1939
Charles was 3 when "The Wizard of Oz" opened in theaters
1942
Charles was 6 when Bing Crosby recorded "White Christmas"
1955
Charles was 19 when the Salk polio vaccine was declared safe and effective
1962
Charles was 26 when the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war
1974
Charles was 38 when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency
1982
Charles was 46 when "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" opened in theaters
1994
Charles was 58 when "Friends" premiered
2005
Charles was 69 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2016
Charles was 80 when Pokemon Go sent millions outdoors hunting creatures
2020
Charles was 84 when SpaceX launched astronauts into orbit for the first time
2021
Passed away December 27, age 85
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Lori Michaels 148w

2 years…

Alice, Mel, Sam and Lori came for a visit. 2 years today…

Photo shared by Lori Michaels
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Lori Michaels 162w

Fresh Flowers

Shortly after we visited on Sunday, Wren sent this photo that they had stopped by and she left flowers from her wedding the previous day. So sweet! Willie and Rachel had left a bouquet from their wedding in May, so the tradition continued and I know Dad was smiling at being remembered on such important occasions.

Photo shared by Lori Michaels
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Lori Michaels 162w

Visits on 9-17-23

Dad was visited by Alice, Melanie, Sam and Lori today to place the medallion on his headstone. There was a lovely dried flower arrangement and we left some rocks. The coins Mel left last time were still there, so I suppose Dad is still trying to figure out how he is supposed to get them to leave for his family. :)

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Manhattan, Kansas
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