Charles Orrin Joplin, 88, of Ste. Genevieve died Dec. 14, 2024, at his home. Mr. Joplin was a U.S. Marine and served in the Korean War. He worked as a supply chain planner for McDonnell Douglas and retired after 35 years. He and his wife moved to Ellsinore after his retirement to live on their dream farm. He started singing gospel music with his mother on the radio when he was a child, and his love of country music led him to play in country bands as he got older. His passion for music inspired his children and grandchildren to sing and play the guitar. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and wrestling with his grandchildren. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Born April 25, 1936, in Greenville, he was the son of the late Phillip and Edna Irene (Buckingham) Joplin.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years: Gearelene (Turner) Joplin.
He is survived by four daughters: Vickie (Brian) Joplin, Debra (Bret) Klahs, Anita (Christian) Dennert and Patricia Joplin; 10 grandchildren: Phillip (Sarah) Klahs of Maastricht, Netherlands, Kyle (Rachel) Klahs of Watertown, N.Y., Sawyer (Dempsey) Klahs of Arnold, Lilly Klahs of Orlando, Fla., Abby Klahs of Hammond, La., Luke Klahs of Ann Arbor, Mich., Keagon Klahs of Bloomsdale, Alec Seidle of Colorado, Alaina Seidle of Florida and Aaron Seidle of Florida; two step grandchildren: Sean Dennert of De Soto and Caleb (Natalie) Dennert of De Soto; five great-grandchildren: Anton, Jonas, and Theodore Klahs and Penelope and Charles Klahs; a sister: Shirley Harkins of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He also was preceded in death by four brothers: Howard, Wayne, James and Robert Joplin; and five sisters: Betty Joplin, Lilly Randolph, Esther Sartin, Mary Ellen Karshall and Irene Gravatt.
A graveside service with military honors is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Dec.18, in the Joplin/New Hope Cemetery in Ellsinore. Arrangements are under the direction of McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore.