Charles Andre Geldard

Charles "Chopper" Andre Geldard, 66, died Dec. 17, 2010, at his home of natural causes.

His prayer vigil rosary will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with his funeral Mass 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Dale Yurkovic officiating. Memorials in Charles' honor may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Charles was born Oct. 14, 1944, in Havre, Mont., to Harry and Alice Geldard. He was raised and educated in Havre. He went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad and then enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he earned the National Defense Service Medal. He served from 1963 until 1967, when he was honorably discharged.

He was discharged in 1967 and married Linda Leaf in Lake Port, Calif., on Sept. 9, 1967. The couple lived in Seattle, Wash., where Chuck worked for Boeing. The couple then returned to Havre, Mont., and he went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970 and worked until he retired in 2002 as the yardmaster.

Chuck was a professor of martial arts and taught many children and adults karate. He loved animals, walking and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Geldard, and two infant sisters.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Geldard of Havre, Mont.; his father, Harry Geldard of Havre, Mont.; daughters, Lexie (Nate) Hoines of Great Falls, Mont., Corina (Wes) Carlson of Havre, Mont., and Tiffany (Marty Olson) Geldard of Havre, Mont.; sisters, Carol Butterfield of Farmington, N.M.; Theresa (Vic) Stearns of Corpus Christi, Texas; Judy (Mike) Owens of Sico, Ore.; Nancee (Orvill) Wise of Florence, Mont., and Rita Campbell of Havre, Mont.; one brother, Mickey (Judy) Geldard of Havre, Mont.; three grandchildren, Justin and Cody Carlson and Allisa Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles "Chopper" Andre Geldard, 66, died Dec. 17, 2010, at his home of natural causes.

His prayer vigil rosary will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with his funeral Mass 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Dale Yurkovic officiating. Memorials in Charles' honor may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Charles was born Oct. 14, 1944, in Havre, Mont., to Harry and Alice Geldard. He was raised and educated in Havre. He went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad and then enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he earned the National Defense Service Medal. He served from 1963 until 1967, when he was honorably discharged.

He was discharged in 1967 and married Linda Leaf in Lake Port, Calif., on Sept. 9, 1967. The couple lived in Seattle, Wash., where Chuck worked for Boeing. The couple then returned to Havre, Mont., and he went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970 and worked until he retired in 2002 as the yardmaster.

Chuck was a professor of martial arts and taught many children and adults karate. He loved animals, walking and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Geldard, and two infant sisters.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Geldard of Havre, Mont.; his father, Harry Geldard of Havre, Mont.; daughters, Lexie (Nate) Hoines of Great Falls, Mont., Corina (Wes) Carlson of Havre, Mont., and Tiffany (Marty Olson) Geldard of Havre, Mont.; sisters, Carol Butterfield of Farmington, N.M.; Theresa (Vic) Stearns of Corpus Christi, Texas; Judy (Mike) Owens of Sico, Ore.; Nancee (Orvill) Wise of Florence, Mont., and Rita Campbell of Havre, Mont.; one brother, Mickey (Judy) Geldard of Havre, Mont.; three grandchildren, Justin and Cody Carlson and Allisa Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.