Charles S. Baldry

OBITUARY: Charles Stephen Baldry
Charles Stephen Baldry, 90, Topeka, died Thurs., Feb. 4, 2010, at his home. He was born Nov. 21, 1919, in Topeka the son of William E. and Mary B. (Shipman) Baldry. He graduated from Topeka High School and Washburn University. Charles served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1981 from Santa Fe General Offices after 30 years of service. He was a member, Past Master, and 25 year secretary of Siloam Lodge # 225, AF & AM; a member and 25 year secretary of Topeka York Rite Bodies; a member of Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies where he had received the 33rd Degree; a member, past Puissant Sovereign, and Recorder of St. Augustine Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; a member and 1973 Patron of Beulah Chapter # 34, OES; Knight Commander, Grand Commander Grand Council and secretary of Ancient Toltec Rite; Daylight Lodge # 454 AF & AM; Arab Shrine Temple; District Deputy Grand Master; District Deputy Grand High Priest; and All Saints Tabernacle. Charles worked for Penwell-Gabel for 5 years; was a volunteer for Topeka Public Library; and had been an election board supervising judge. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for over 75 years where he was an ordained elder, and sang in the choir for many years. He was married to Margaret M. "Peggy" Offen on Aug. 27, 1949, in Topeka. She survives. Also surviving are his children: William E. & Carol Baldry, Mary E. & Donald Ballue, Richard G. & Diana Baldry, and Margaret M. & Ward Bengtson; 7 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM, Wed., Feb. 10, 2010 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., followed by a Masonic service conducted by Siloam Lodge # 225, AF & AM. Interment of cremains will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, Tues., at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to The Kansas Masonic Foundation for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 1217, Topeka, KS 66601-1217.