Charles William Claassen (Chuck) passed away at the age of 90 in Columbia, Missouri, on September 26, 2026, after a hard-fought battle against Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Spencer, Nebraska, on December 5, 1935, and grew up in Newhall, Iowa. Chuck joined the Marines after graduation and served four years in California and Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean Conflict. His unit recognized him as an Expert Marksman. After his service, he moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he married Theresa Lorraine Biederman (Terry) on January 18, 1969. They raised five children on the outskirts of Unionville, Missouri, where they lived for 45 years. He and Terry were members of the First Christian Church in Unionville. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles William Claassen, Jr. (2023); his wife, Terry (2024); and his brother, Otto (2025).
Chuck worked hard for his family as a maintenance man and mechanic at Wilson-Sinclair in Cedar Rapids and Banquet Foods in Milan, Missouri. He also worked hard to make their house into a home in Unionville, cutting wood, taking care of animals, and working in his garage. He loved hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, ice cream, and Terry’s cooking, especially her homemade pizza.
Chuck was a prolific letter-writer his whole life. He often included ice cream money in his letters. He spent the last few years of his life surrounded by family, including his four surviving children — Traci Schultz of Olympia, Washington, Jennifer Belzer of Columbia, Missouri, Amy MacConnell of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and Mark Claassen of Nashville, Tennessee. His legacy lives on in the lives of 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren (with three on the way). He is also survived by brother Roger Eubanks, sister Walletta Claassen, and five step-daughters. Chuck’s gentle love and quiet leadership made a difference in the lives of everyone who knew him. He will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville, with the family greeting friends from 10:00AM-11:00AM. Funeral services will follow at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to the First Christian Church of Unionville and entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home, 709 S 27th Street, Unionville, MO 63565. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
