June 8, 1928 - January 7, 2025
A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary, Westminster, Calif. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary of Westminster, Calif. A graveside service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery, 901 East Pine Street, Algona. The Rev. Don Michaelsen will officiate. Graveside arrangements have been entrusted to Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona.
Charles C. Dearchs, age 96 of Fountain Valley, Calif., passed away and joined the Church Triumphant on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at home surrounded by family. He was born on June 8, 1928, in Algona, the son of Claude E. and Margaret G. (Hofius) Dearchs.
Charles married Barbara Ann Platt at The Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua on June 14, 1949. She preceded him in death in 1973, at the age of 42. Charles was an Iowa farmer who grew corn, soybeans and raised sheep and hogs.
Charles relocated to California in the mid-1980s to help his sister, Lucille and niece with many projects. He resided with his niece, Nancy and her two children, Tiffany and Ryan. Nancy’s deceased brother, Charles Perry Moore, was named in honor of Charles. After many, many years, Charles became the great-great-uncle to Ryan and Tiffany’s children, Joshua, Jeremy, JT, Bailey, Ryley, Gavin, Aidan Charles and Sean. Charles soon became the neighborhood handyman in both Manhattan Beach, where his sister lived, and Fountain Valley. He knew how to do everything – plumbing, electrical, masonry, and of course gardening, and his passion, woodworking. He made so many lovely things and refinished many items. So many came to him for help and advice on so many projects. His vegetable garden was the envy of many. He was truly a gentle, kind gentleman. Charles was not only our dear uncle, but was like a rock, mentor and companion.
Charles’ family includes two children, Thomas Charles Dearchs (life partner Roger Lee Stephen) of Indianapolis, Ind., and Janet Ann Dearchs Manning (Darwin, deceased) of Bancroft; two siblings, Jane and (Ronald) Hlad of Sylvan Grove, Kan. and Marvin Dearchs of Saucier, Miss.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Charles was preceded in death by both his parents; his father-in-law, Howard Lyle Platt, mother-in-law, Hazel Lucinda Troutman Platt; brothers-in law, George Warren Platt and John Charles Platt, sister-in-law, Ellen Valborg Platt; eight siblings, Lucille, Harold, Raymond, Ruth, Mary Lea, Betty, Eugene and Maynard.
We give thanks for Charles’ life and pray for God’s blessings for comfort and peace for his family and loved ones. The family would like to thank Nancy Powell (Charles’ sister Lucille’s daughter), Nancy’s children, Tiffany Farr and Ryan Powell, for the love and care they showed Charles during the many years that he lived in California and for helping him to live his best life. We are forever grateful to them.
Online condolences may be made at oakcrestfuneralservices.com.