Charley Deweese, 75, longtime resident of rural Thayer, died Sunday, August 26, 2012, in Grand Island, Neb. He and Patsy were at the Nebraska State Fair where he joined others breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest parade of antique tractors. Charley contributed five tractors to the record. 

He was born in Erie to Clarence and Leona Deweese on Sept. 20, 1936. In addition to farming and running a dairy, he started driving big rigs for others but spent the last 33 years as an independent owner/operator of Charley Deweese Trucking.

His son, Larry Deweese and two sisters, Clara May Angleton and Linda Deweese, preceded him in death.  He is survived by Patsy Schulz, of the home, and four daughters, Debbie Fedie, Carl Junction, Mo.; Peggy Brotherton, Chanute; Shelly Lee, Montgomery, Texas; Sherry Welch, Thayer; and their mother, Phyllis Deweese, Chanute.

A memorial will be held at the Thayer School in the gymnasium at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8. Come and help us celebrate the life of Charley Deweese.

Memorials may be made on Charley’s behalf to the Flag Fund. A giant flag will be raised on his property that can be seen from Highway 169 to celebrate his love and patriotism for the United States.