Charles Delbert Finney, 85, of Winfield, passed away March 3, 2016 at Harry Hynes Hospice at Via Christi St. Francis.

Charles was born to the late W.C. and Glenna Gertrude (Massingill) Finney on July 1, 1930 in Arkansas City, Kansas. He attended Winfield High School, earning his diploma in 1952 after enlisting in the United States Navy in 1948. With Charles, the Navy took its obligation to make men of boys quite literally, by quickly correcting his birth certificate, on which his name was erroneously listed as Betty Joanne Finney. Charles served on the U.S.S. Salisbury Sound AV-13, a seaplane tender, patrolling the Pacific Ocean during the Korean War and working as a diver on underwater salvage and repair operations, until being honorably discharged as a 2nd Class Petty Officer in 1952. In September of 1952, within days of returning to Winfield after his military service ended, Charles saw a young woman dressed in tight jeans and white blouse flying around the Glass skating rink and he immediately thought to himself, "That's for me." That young woman was Ida Jean Rush, and he married her on May 30, 1953. For the remaining 63 years of his life, Charles was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Buoyed by his strong marriage and religious faith, he was also committed to helping the Winfield community. He was originally a member of the Winfield Christian Church, which he began attending as a boy scout. When he and Ida moved onto their farm east of Winfield, in 1960, they became members of Tisdale United Methodist Church. In the more than 55 years since, Charles, always together with Ida, contributed countless hours serving Tisdale and its members. For nearly all of that time, Charles served as a youth sponsor and as a member and chairman of the board of trustees. Notably, Charles and Ida served as co-chairs of committees tasked with remodeling the church's sanctuary and building a new addition-the Apostles Hall, and rebuilding the gym. Charles was also a member of the United Methodist Men (UMM) and was inducted into UMM's Society of John Wesley, in recognition of his Christian leadership to the ministry.

In addition to his contributions to the Tisdale community, Charles traveled the world helping those in need elsewhere. In fact, he went on more church mission trips than he could count, as Ida says, "We stopped counting after our 35th trip." In the United States, those trips ranged from Oklahoma to Alaska. Outside of the United States, the mission trips took Charles to more than 13 nations, from Chili to Guatemala to Zimbabwe. Over the years, Charles took five of his grandchildren on mission trips, often finding time to take them fishing after a full workday.

Charles gave to the Winfield community in numerous other ways as well. He was an electrician in Winfield for 57 years, working first at Winfield Electric and then, in 1976, founding Finn's Electric. Charles was known for his formidable work ethic, which he used not only to build Finn's Electric but also to help others, as demonstrated by the 24 homes that he wired for Habitat for Humanity, and the many hours he spent teaching the electrical trade as a Liberty 4-H club leader. The fruits of Charles's volunteer work can be enjoyed to this day at the Cowley County Fairgrounds, where his county 4-H students wired the concession stand. Charles's community service extended well beyond his skills as a Master Electrician. He was also a board member of the Horizon United Methodist Camp, a supporter of Winfield Arts & Humanities, and a member of the American Legion. In recognition of his extensive service to the Winfield community, he was awarded the Community Cornerstone Award in 2008.

Somehow, despite all of his activities in the church and the Winfield community, Charles always found time to tend to his cattle; support Ida and their children and grandchildren, on horseback rides; and perhaps most of all, to fish. He was the consummate husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be dearly missed.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Ward Jackson, Jr., Carl, Guy and John Finney.

Charles is survived by:
His wife: Ida Finney of Winfield;
His son: Chris Finney and wife, Micki of Winfield;
His daughters: Iris Gladd of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; June Hamilton and husband, Bill of Ponca City, OK; and
His 6 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Tisdale United Methodist Church. Private family burial will take place at a later date. The family will greet visitors on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tisdale United Methodist Church or to Harry Hynes Hospice. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.