Family and friends in Kearney, Nebraska, are mourning following the passing of Charles Edward Mefferd on January 4, 2026, a loss that has brought quiet sorrow to many who knew and loved him. Charles, known to most as Charlie, passed peacefully at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home after a long battle with complications from Parkinson’s disease.
At 87, he had lived a full life marked by service, hard work, and deep connections to family and community. His final days in the veterans home reflected the respect he earned through his military background, a place where he received care suited to the dedication he once gave to his country.
Born on March 9, 1938, in New York City, Charlie’s early years took him from Roslyn, New York, to Ainsworth, Nebraska, as his father worked with the American Museum of Natural History. He grew up with a strong sense of curiosity and discipline, excelling in school and graduating as salutatorian from Ainsworth High School in 1956. There, he shone on the football field and baseball diamond, traits that would carry into his lifelong love of sports. In 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with the pride and commitment that defined much of his character.
Family was the heartbeat of Charlie’s life. That same year, he married Leona Emry, and together they built a home while raising four children: Kathleen, Brett, Chad, and Shawna. Later, in 1986, he found companionship again with Janice (Brown) McGinley, whom he married in Valentine. This union brought four stepchildren—Cyndi, Robert, Rodney, and Myndi—into his world, blending families with warmth and acceptance.
Charlie and Janice shared adventures across Nebraska towns, from Valentine to Bellevue and Grand Island, before retiring in Harlingen, Texas. Though Janice preceded him in death, along with his brother Ralph Jr. and parents, Charlie’s legacy lives on through his children, stepchildren, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who felt his steady love.
Professionally, Charlie dedicated decades to the telephone industry, starting as a linesman and climbing to management roles across western Nebraska and briefly in Houston. His career with the company and later with MCI—showed his reliability and leadership, qualities that earned him respect among colleagues. One former coworker remembered working under him for years, highlighting the steady guidance Charlie provided in his managerial roles.
Beyond work, Charlie had a vibrant side that brought joy to those around him. A talented guitarist, he played in several country bands, passing down his passion for music to his kids. He coached youth sports teams, played softball into later years, golfed alongside Janice, and remained a die-hard Cornhuskers fan through every season. These pursuits painted a picture of a man who embraced life with enthusiasm, always ready to share a story, a song, or encouragement from the sidelines.
Today, on what would have been a day of gathering in his honor, family and friends are coming together for a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Kearney, officiated by Pastor Sean Dougherty. Inurnment will follow at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine, a nod to his deep Nebraska roots. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project reflect Charlie’s enduring appreciation for those who serve.
Though Parkinson’s took its toll in his final years, Charlie’s spirit marked by resilience, kindness, and a love for family and country—remains a guiding light for all who knew him. He will be deeply missed, but his stories, music, and example will continue to resonate in the hearts of his large, loving family and the communities he called home.