Mr. Charles K. Southerland

July 03, 1933 - April 11, 2011

Charles Kenneth Southerland, 77, of Crothersville entered his eternal rest on April 11, 2011 at the Scott Memorial Hospital.

Charles was born on July 3, 1933 in North Vernon, Indiana to Hollis and Dorothy Southerland. He married Beth Ann Smith on June 28, 1952. She preceded him in death in1974. He married Judith C. Ross in 1975 who also preceded Charles in death on November 7, 1992.

Mr. Southerland served his country in the U.S. Navy and took up arms during the Korean Conflict. He was proud to be recognized as one of America's Atomic Veterans for his participation in our country's nuclear bomb testing in the South Pacific. As a civilian, he continued his public service as an officer in the Arizona Rangers.

He was a skilled machinist and was honored to build one of the last mechanical control units for precise celestial positioning of telescopes located at the Kitt Peak National Observatory.

He is survived by a sister, Genevieve Dalrymple, three sons, a daughter and two sons by marriage, Bruce, Andy, Dale, Linda Pratt, Pat Ross, and Brett Ross. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Bonnie Goodpaster.

His loving, blended family includes 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Information

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011 at Sawyer - Pickett Funeral Home in North Vernon with Rev. Dale Boyd officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Vernon Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and VFW Post 2021.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made through the funeral to the National Association of Atomic Veterans.