Charles E. Blakeley, 77, of Greeley, Colorado, died Monday, January 14, 2008, at his home in Colorado.

A memorial service will be held at the Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus on Saturday, January 26, 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Don Owens officiating.

Charles Eldon Blakeley was born in Crab Orchard, Neb., to Charles Edison and Ida Mae (Schmidt) Blakeley.
 

On July 23, 1950, he married Verna Rae Merrill at the Torrington (Wyo.) United Methodist Church. They later divorced.

On May 29, 1982, he married Shirley (Hoveling) Shelton in Fort Collins. She died June 21, 1987.

Mr. Blakely moved to Torrington, Wyo., as a child. He grew up there and graduated from Torrington High School. After his graduation, he worked for the Brown Bean Co. in Torrington and later worked for the state of Wyoming in weed control.

On Oct. 20, 1959, the family moved to Greeley, where Mr. Blakely was employed by Balcom Chemical Co. He bought the business in Wellington from Balcom Chemical Co. and started Blakeley Well-Gro, which sold agricultural products. While living in Wellington, he served on city council and served as mayor of Wellington.

Mr. Blakeley enjoyed his sales work in agricultural products. He later worked for the Trinidad Bean Co. in Greeley until he was 70 years old.

Mr. Blakely attended the Torrington United Methodist Church, as a child. He was a member of Greeley/Evans Moose Lodge No. 909. He was a former member of the Torrington Elks Lodge, where he served as the Exalted Ruler. He later transferred his membership to the Fort Collins Elks Lodge. He also was a member of the Wellington Lions Club.

Mr. Blakely loved to go to performances of the "Glenn Miller Band" and the "Jack Morgan Band." He loved to go dancing when he was able. He also loved get-togethers with family and the Blakeley Family reunions with his cousins and their families. He enjoyed being independent and enjoyed life.

Mr. Blakeley was a man of integrity and honesty and a friend to all. While he did not wear his emotions on his sleeve, his deep love and feelings for family were apparent. He talked about his family with a smile on his face and twinkle in his eye and a big laugh about things in his life. He was proud of his family members' accomplishments and would overlook their shortcomings.

Mr. Blakely died Monday at his home.

Survivors: His daughter, Lynne Ann Esch of Brownwood, Texas; his son, Kyle Blakeley and wife Connie of Greeley; a stepson, Mark Shelton of Durango; a stepdaughter-in-law, Christie Shelton of Illinois; three sisters, Darlene Brooks and husband Warren of Torrington, La Vonne Daiss of Lingle, Wyo., and Joyce Lang of Fort Collins; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by: A stepson Kevin Shelton, a sister Vi Smith and an infant brother Donald.