Charles Everly

A memorial Service for Charles "Steve" Everly will be held Saturday March 1, 2025 at Peterson Funeral Home in Indianola, Iowa (602 East Salem Ave). Public visitation will open at 10am, one hour prior to the service. A reception will take place after the service, also at the funeral home. Entombment of the urn will take place in the spring at Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter, Iowa (date to be determined).

Steve was a man of strength of love, loyalty, humility, and reliability in the lives of those fortunate enough to have known him. He passed from this world on February 17, 2025 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 88 years old.

Born on March 10, 1936, in Pisgah, West Virginia, Steve lived an inspiring life filled with travel, service, and devotion to his family and community. From his birthplace in West Virginia, his life journey took him to far-flung corners of the world.

His family traveled with him from base to base throughout his 30 years of service in the Air Force. Some of these places included: Iowa, Greenland, Vietnam, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Dakota, Korea, Wyoming, Michigan and Thailand. His final base was in Tennessee, where he and his wife Elsie settled for 28 years, before finally moving back to Iowa in order to be closer to family.

Steve was a man of many passions, but none shone brighter than his love for his family, his dedication to his work, and his commitment to his community. He was employed at Arnold Engineering Development Center until his retirement in 1983.

His professional life was marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence. His personal life was enriched by his favorite hobbies, golfing, and gardening. Charles took immense pride in the pristine beauty of his lawn, and his neighbors often copied his style to enhance their own curb appeal.

Steve's life was indeed a collection of intensely meaningful experiences, whether it was serving his country, managing a warehouse, or meticulously caring for his lawn.

His generosity knew no bounds, especially when it came to his loved ones. If he ever saw a family member was interested in an item during a shopping trip, it would invariably end up as a surprise gift at their home.

He was a member of the Table Church and was a man of God, who did his best to live the Bible's teachings in his daily life.

He also was a Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner.

Steve is survived by his daughter Debra (Mark) Leydens, his son Doug (Terrie) Everly; his sister Sandy Jo Williams; his grandchildren: Jason Arnett, Ashley (Chris Flatness) Lopez, Alyssa (Andy) Jurado, and Aaron Olinger, and his great grandchildren: Victoria Jurado, Katherine Jurado, Alessandra Jurado, Roland Arnett, Jaelan Leydens, and Maya Lopez.

He was preceded in death by loving wife Elsie, his parents, his siblings: June Ford, Sara Jane Dalton, Jimmy Everly, Sonny Everly, and Jean Ryan.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Table Church at: tablechurchdsm.ccbchurch.com/goto/giving

As we bid farewell to Charles, we invite everyone who knew him to share their memories and upload photos to the memorial page. His life was a testament to the idea that a life well-lived is not measured by its length, but by its depth.